WCPO IUU Fishing Operation ‘Tui Moana’ Seized Nine Vessels

The two-week WCPO regional operation ‘Tui Moana 2025’ (OPTM25) to combat IUU fishing concluded last Friday. Officials seized nine “vessels of interest”, including one that was confirmed to be carrying out IUU fishing. A statement from FFA, which led the Operation, read, “A total of 76 fishing vessels were boarded – 30 in port and 46 at sea – with an additional 31 vessel sightings and 4,937 satellite detections recorded.” The agency did not reveal further details about the vessels that were seized. FFA Officer in Charge of the Fisheries Operation Division, Jason Raubani, said: “The success of OPTM25 highlights the continued strong regional cooperation that is in place, and the commitment to protecting the rights of Members and their valuable tuna resources.”

OPTM25 is a regional maritime surveillance initiative led by the FFA. Its primary objective is to combat IUU fishing in the EEZs of its ten participating Pacific Island nations. It aims to safeguard vital tuna fisheries, which are crucial for the food security and economy of the islands. It was supported by the Pacific QUADs – Australia, France, New Zealand, and the US — along with key monitoring, control, and surveillance partners.