Australian Fisheries Management Authority and NSW Police officers have returned after supporting a three‑month multinational patrol on the Pacific high seas aimed at deterring illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.
Operation Nasse, conducted from May to July 2025 and now in its tenth year, brought together the Pacific Quadrilateral Defence Coordination Group nations — Australia, New Zealand, France and the United States — alongside colleagues from Tonga, Fiji, Vanuatu, the Solomon Islands and the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency. The annual effort bolsters surveillance of international waters, promotes compliance with WCPFC conservation and management measures, and supports the long‑term sustainability of tuna fisheries, including assessments of key stocks such as South Pacific albacore.
The United States Coast Guard Oceania District hosted the joint coordination centre in Honolulu, directing a mix of aerial and maritime assets:
– US Coast Guard Cutter Harriet Lane (WMEC 903)
– New South Wales Police Force Offshore Patrol Vessel Nemesis
– French Navy ships Auguste Benebig and Teriieroo a Teriierooiterai
– Gardian aircraft from the French Armed Forces in New Caledonia
– a P8-A from the Royal New Zealand Air Force
– a King Air aircraft from the Pacific Islands Forum Fishing Agency
Across the operation, participants covered more than 6.54 million square nautical miles, made 80 aerial sightings of fishing vessels and conducted 31 boardings and inspections on the high seas. Potential breaches of WCPFC conservation and management measures were referred to the relevant flag states for investigation under WCPFC procedures.
“Our partnerships with Pacific nations, the Forum Fisheries Agency and the PQUAD group enables the type of collaboration necessary to protect shared fisheries and the marine environment,” Mr Bathurst said.
“I’d like to thank our friends from Tonga, Fiji, Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands for supporting Operation Nasse in its 10th year, and I hope to see these partnerships continue to grow stronger in the future.”
“Working together is the best way to protect Pacific fish stocks and stand against illegal fishing, especially where it occurs on the high seas.”
“By protecting our shared resources and the livelihoods of people throughout the Pacific, multilateral fisheries management has significant positive impact, and AFMA is proud to play its part.”
U.S. Coast Guard Lt. Cmdr. Mary Kate Wheeler, joint coordination centre commander for Operation Nasse, said: “This multinational operation is integral to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing in the Pacific Ocean.”
“Protecting marine resources, ensuring sustainable fisheries, and safeguarding the livelihood of Pacific Island nations all contribute to stability within the region. We are grateful to our Pacific partners for their invaluable contributions and close coordination through every step of this mission.”
