King Air, Spartan on Pacific fisheries patrol

Australia is continuing its contribution in the fight against illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing in the Southwest Pacific, with the latest iteration of Operation Solania launched yesterday.

FILE PHOTO (2014): No. 38 Squadron KA350 King Air. Photo by Corporal Glenn McCarthy.

Australian Defence Force personnel are assisting the Pacific Island Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) to protect fisheries and other resources within the economic exclusion zones of partner countries.

Australia’s contribution will focus on Nauru, Kiribati and the Republic of the Marshall Islands and includes King Air B-300 and C-27J Spartan aircraft providing intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance support to detection and deterrence operations.

Minister for Defence Linda Reynolds said Australia was proud to support the FFA to advance economic development.

“Australia recognises the importance of the multi-national policing and surveillance program, to protect fisheries within the sovereign territories of our Pacific partners,” Minister Reynolds said.

“We are supporting regional efforts to combat illegal activity which undermines ocean-based industries and the economic livelihoods of our neighbours.”

Under the banner of Operation Solania, the ADF supports the FFA-led operations: Kuru Kuru, Island Chief, Tui Moana and Rai Balang.

“Through these operations the ADF is helping to improve maritime domain awareness so that participating nations can protect their natural resources.”

This year’s Operation Solania will run from 12 to 23 August 2019.

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