An agent of AFMA, Australian entity participating in the trilateral operation. (Photo Credit: AFMA)

Joint operation performed with New Zealand and France to combar IUU fishing

AUSTRALIA
Tuesday, July 28, 2015, 02:30 (GMT + 9)

A four week patrol and surveillance trilateral operation has been set in the southern Pacific Ocean by Australia, France and New Zealand, planned to deter illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing activities.

Officers from the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) and Australian Border Force (ABF) embarked on this operation, called Nasse, whose purpose was to identify potential non-compliance with conservation and management measures adopted by the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC).

“The relationships Australia has formed through operations like Nasse are invaluable in preventing IUU fishing,” AFMA’s General Manager of Operations, Peter Venslovas pointed out in a release to which FIS.com had access.

After thanking the French Armed Forces of New Caledonia for hosting the operation and New Zealand counterparts for their valuable efforts in combatting IUU fishing, he added: “The operation was also an opportunity for Australia, France and New Zealand to enhance their productive relationships by sharing surveillance information.”

As part of the operation, through Maritime Border Command, Australia deployed three surveillance aircraft and the Royal Australian Navy survey ship HMAS Leeuwin.

Apart from these Australian assets, the French Guardian surveillance aircraft and Patrol Boat La Glorieuse and the New Zealand P3K2 surveillance aircraft and HMNZS Otago were deployed.

For his part, Commander Maritime Border Command, Rear Admiral Michael Noonan, stressed: “The ABF is proud to work in close partnership with AFMA. The support we receive from our French and New Zealand partners is also invaluable in closing the net on illegal fishing.”

The operation resulted in a number of sightings and boardings of fishing vessels operating targeting tuna in Western and Pacific Ocean.

A total of 45 hours of air surveillance was completed, with 70 fishing vessels sighted during the 22 day operation. Thirteen boardings and inspections were conducted with minor violations of the WCPFC conservation and management measures detected.

 
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