FFA applauds landmark Operation Ika Moana led by Samoa

The Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) has applauded Samoa’s leadership on the successful completion of Operation Ika Moana, a week-long operation to clamp down on illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing and other forms of maritime crime in the Blue Pacific.

Operation Ika Moana 2025, held from 8 – 15 August, marked the first time the sub-regional initiative had been reactivated since 2019. The operation was a coordinated effort involving six FFA Members, the Pacific Guarding Class Patrol Boats (GCPB), Pacific Maritime Security Program (PMSP) and regional security partners – hosted by the Samoa Police, Prisons and Corrections Services.

FFA Members involved included Fiji, Cook Islands, Tonga, Kiribati, Tuvalu and Samoa, with a  total of more than 250 crew members. The Operation also included observer participation from an additional five countries – Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Marshall Islands, Papua New Guinea, and Timor Leste.

The operation involved law enforcement, wider maritime agencies, enabling a stronger and faster response to both IUU fishing and other maritime crimes, including drug and human trafficking.

The official opening was marked by a traditional Ava Ceremony at the Tafaigata Academy and the attendance of Caretaker Prime Minister of Samoa, Hon. Fiame Naomi Mataafa who provided opening remarks.

“Our shared Pacific ocean is vast and rich, but it is not immune to threats such as IUU fishing [and] transnational crimes at sea, including smuggling and trafficking, environmental and resource exploitation issues. No single Pacific nation can address these challenges alone,” the Caretaker Prime Minister acknowledged.

“The importance of Operation Ika Moana lies in uniting our maritime forces, in joint patrols, information sharing and coordinated efforts to deter and combat these threats. This year’s operation focuses on protecting fisheries and maritime resources through coordinated patrols and surveillance, enhancing interoperability among Pacific maritime forces via joint exercises and crew exchanges.”

During the two days surveillance phase, a total of seven boardings were conducted, three sightings from six GCPBs and Port State inspections in Apia and three vessels of interest identified. Satellite remote sensing was also utilised contributing to 11 detections. Overall, a total surveillance area of over 90,000 square kilometers of ocean covered by participating assets.

A key feature of Operation Ika Moana was the establishment of a real-time coordination hub at the Samoa Police Maritime Wing in Matautu. This allowed participating and observer nations to monitor activities live, share intelligence instantly, and direct patrols where they are most needed.

Patrols covered Samoa’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and extended into adjacent areas, strengthening maritime domain awareness across multiple jurisdictions.

FFA Director-General Noan David Pakop said: “The operation illustrates the value of flexible, host-driven regional exercises. By bringing together fisheries patrol vessels, law enforcement, corrections, and other maritime agencies under a unified command, the operation enabled participating countries to respond quickly to IUU fishing threats while also addressing wider maritime crimes.” 

He added that the integration of patrol assets, data sharing and cross-border cooperation sets a new benchmark for regional maritime surveillance: “By linking patrol assets, data sharing and maritime agencies across borders, Operation Ika Moana sets a new standard for regional cooperation in tackling IUU fishing and maritime crime.”

FFA’s contribution to Operation Ika Moana coordinated by FFA Surveillance Operations Officer, Yohni Fepuleai, began in the planning phase, operation intelligence briefs, coordination of MDA intelligence and satellite remote sensing analysis for the Samoa Joint Coordination Center. The FFA Aerial Surveillance Kingair was also engaged to provide air support based out of Samoa.

Trainers provided best practice refresher boarding protocols and mentoring during patrols, using a train-the-trainer approach to strengthen GCPB boarding officers capacity well beyond the operation. The support was coordinated with Australian Fisheries Management Authority, New Zealand’s Ministry for Primary Industries and the Fiji Navy. 

As part of the Secretariat support to Members, the team also conducted handover of FFA-funded boarding officer resource aid gears for the GCPBs to address safe and effective vessel inspections.

Operation Ika Moana is part of a series of cooperative surveillance efforts across the Pacific that align with FFA’s core mission to help its Members sustainably manage their tuna resources and safeguard their maritime zones.

HONIARA, 20 AUGUST 2025

Media Contacts: Emily V. Moli FFA Communications Manager e: [email protected] Ernest Ta'asi FFA Communications Officer e: ernest.ta’[email protected] Priscilla Ragu FFA Communications Officer e: [email protected]

About Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) FFA assists its 17 Members to sustainably manage fishery resources that fall within their 200-mile Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs). FFA provides expertise, technical assistance and other support to its members who make decisions about their tuna resources and participate in regional decision making on tuna management. Find out more here: www.ffa.int