pina.com.fj
Positivepina.com.fj ·
Ika Moana Rises Again Strengthening Pacific Leadership in Maritime Surveillance
UpdatessympathyGovernmentSurveillanceCommissioner
Executive Summary
AI-generatedOperation Ika Moana, a sub-regional joint surveillance effort, has been reactivated after a five-year hiatus by the Samoa Government. The renewed operation aims to strengthen Pacific leadership and cooperation in maritime surveillance across member nations' Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs). Support included training, aerial coordination, satellite technology application, and boarding inspections, covering over 90,000 square kilometers.
Key Insights
- Operation Ika Moana was initially established in 2014 by four Pacific members (Cook Islands, Samoa, Niue, Tonga) to coordinate joint surveillance.
- The operation paused due to COVID-19 and was reactivated in August 2025 under the leadership of the Samoa Government.
- Support provided included Maritime Domain Awareness training, aerial coordination via FFA, satellite remote sensing, and boarding inspection refresher courses.
- The Joint Coordination Centre (JCC) managed multiple patrol assets, including six Guardian-class patrol boats and air support.
- Initial results demonstrated success with seven vessel boardings, three sightings, and eleven detections using satellite technology.
Topic context
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