Australia Increases Surveillance In WCPO Amid Rising Chinese Presence

The increasing presence of Chinese patrol boats in the WCPO is pushing Australia to intensify aerial checks in the region. A maritime expert explained that the Chinese presence could create tensions in the region, and warned the nation’s fishing vessels have been accused of IUU fishing in the WPCO. According to Peter Connolly, a Pacific security expert at the University of New South Wales, “The two most common nationalities involved in illegal fishing here are from China and Taiwan. Introducing Chinese coast guard patrols could complicate efforts to enforce the rules fairly,” reported news sites.

Earlier this year, Australia announced that it would spend AUD 477 million (USD 309.13 million) on aerial patrols due to the rising presence of Chinese patrol boats. Australia plays an important role in security and surveillance in the WCPO, primarily to help Pacific Island nations protect their tuna resources and stop IUU fishing through various initiatives such as Operation Kurukuru, an annual patrolling venture carried out every year. The country has provided patrol boats to several Pacific countries and conducts regular naval and air patrols.