Operation Rai Balang Detects IUU Fishing Activities In WCPO

The Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) held Operation Rai Balang 2025 from March 3 to 21 to identify IUU fishing in the tuna-rich grounds of the WCPO. During the Operation FFA members conducted 96 boardings, tracked 189 vessel contacts, and identified 7,629 satellite detections. Officials found seven “high-risk vessels of interest.” An FFA statement read that the boats were found to be non-compliant with conservation management measures in several members’ EEZs and high seas. "This will be pursued through national and regional enforcement action processes."

FFA Director-General Noan Pakop highlighted the role of intelligence analysis in the effective guiding and planning of the Operation. He said: “Our daily intelligence work at the Regional Fisheries Surveillance Center has been crucial to identifying and stopping illegal fishing activities.”