The Australian Defence Force (ADF) has joined a multinational effort to detect and deter illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUU) across the South-West Pacific this month. 

Under Operation SOLANIA, a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) C-27J Spartan and supporting personnel deployed to the Cook Islands and Tonga, working alongside the Royal New Zealand Air Force, to support the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency’s (FFA) Operation TUI MOANA. 

Operation TUI MOANA is one of four annual Pacific‑led maritime surveillance operations coordinated by the FFA and supported by the ADF and Pacific Maritime Security Program (PMSP). 

PMSP support includes funding for fuel to enable the participation of Guardian‑class Patrol Boats, as well as the secondment of Pacific surveillance officials to the FFA Regional Fisheries Surveillance Centre in Honiara.

During Operation TUI MOANA, PMSP funding also enabled secondment of a qualified officer from the Republic of Fiji Navy to supplement Tuvalu’s Guardian‑class Patrol Boat Te Mataili III for operational duties. 

The ADF’s contribution forms part of Australia’s broader commitment to regional security and its support to the Pacific Quadrilateral Defence Coordination Group (PQUAD).

ADF surveillance patrols covered 113,220 square kilometres, identifying potential threats to Pacific partners’ marine resources and countering transnational organised crime. These activities threaten the economies of Australia and Pacific nations, their food security and sovereignty. 

Detachment Commander and C-27J Spartan captain, Flight Lieutenant Sean Joyce, said the No. 35 Squadron crew made an important contribution to the multinational effort. 

“Australia worked closely with FFA members, including Royal New Zealand Air Force’s No. 42 Squadron in Cook Islands, and His Majesty’s Armed Forces in Tonga, identifying 12 vessels of interest suspected of illegal fishing in Tonga and Cook Islands’ exclusive economic zones,” Flight Lieutenant Joyce said. 

Chief of Joint Operations, Vice Admiral Justin Jones, said supporting fisheries protection was essential to long-term sustainability. 

“Australia continues to prioritise our region by deploying ADF assets to support Pacific-led arrangements that safeguard regional prosperity and security,” Vice Admiral Jones said. 

“Working together to deliver Pacific-led, Australian-backed solutions to Pacific security challenges is essential to ensuring our region’s stability and protecting our sovereignty.”

Australia remains committed to working with Pacific partners to counter transnational crime and the illegal exploitation of natural resources, which undermines sovereignty and economic development.

Media Note

Media can access imagery/vision at http://images.defence.gov.au/S20261048