ADF assists Fiji to curb illegal fishing

The Fiji Times

ADF officers who were part of Operation Kuru Kuru. Picture: SUPPLIED

As part of contribution to maritime surveillance in the Pacific, the Australian Defence Force (ADF) has completed its support to Operation Kuru Kuru, assisting Fiji to tackle illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing activity.

Operation Kuru Kuru is a coordinated maritime surveillance operation in which countries cooperate to monitor and protect Pacific Island countries’ exclusive economic zones.

The ADF provided a C-27J Spartan and KA350 King Air aircraft, operating out of Vanuatu, Samoa, Papua New Guinea and now Fiji.

“This is in addition to support from the Navy where vessels support FFA’s (Forum Fisheries Agency) Operation 365 during frequent deployments and transits in the Southwest Pacific,” said Commander Joint Operations, Vice Admiral Justin Jones, AO, CSC, RAN

“We are at our best when we work together as a Pacific family, to face joint challenges together.”

The ADF contribution to Operation Kuru Kuru was conducted through Operation Solania, the ADF contribution to maritime surveillance in the Pacific.