Record results for maritime surveillance sweep in the Pacific

Transcript

An annual maritime surveillance sweep in the north Pacific has reported record results.

Operation Rai Balang is one of four annual regional operations aimed at stopping illegal unreported and unregulated fishing in the Pacific.

The ten day operation is led by the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency and recorded 39 sightings, 67 boardings and eight infringements across the Micronesian region.

Commander Mike Pounder of the Royal Australian Navy and head of the Regional Surveillance Centre based in Honiara, told Indira Moala they are pleased with this year's results which included some quality infringements.

MIKE POUNDER: There's been some major differences I would say perhaps rather than massive improvements. The movement of fish around the region means that the fisheries effort is in different places, but the patrol boats all did well. We were fortunate initially to have three aircraft provided from Australia and the U.S. Unfortunately the New Zealand aircraft got diverted for MH370's search. But we had some good results and there were some quality infringements identified across the region.

INDIRA MOALA: Can you explain why this year's surveillance sweep brought such record results? Were there different strategies or systems used?

MP: We have a surveillance picture that is now populated using three sources of information. First and foremost is the Forum Fisheries Agency's vessel monitoring system. We also draw data in from the Tuna Commission, the Western Central Pacific Tuna Commission vessel monitoring system as well and we now have access to the automatic identification system which is an international maritime organisation safety of life at sea tool. But it enables us to monitor the movement of vessels completely independent of the monitoring systems and the limitations that are imposed on those two systems.

IM: So what's the general feeling been like towards the successful results? And do you think this year's results will act as a warning post to any other illegal fishing vessels out there?

MP: There's certainly some good results. The success of the operation is always difficult to gauge. The deterrent effect of having aircraft flying and of having patrol boats out there on the seas again is very difficult to gauge. But the message that we continue to push is that we are watching all of the fisheries activity across the entire FFA region, 365 days a year. We're working for our members and trying to help them and working for ourselves to identify all of the fishermen out there that are even considering conducting illegal fisheries activities. So they should believe Big Brother is watching, because we are.