Australia backs Pacific-led maritime security operation in Solomon Islands

From the skies above Solomon Islands’ vast exclusive economic zone, Australian and Pacific partners worked side by side to help protect the region’s fisheries, maritime borders and shared security.

The Solomon Islands and Australia have completed participation in Operation Island Chief, a Pacific-led maritime surveillance operation coordinated by the Forum Fisheries Agency to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and transnational crime across the region.

Royal Australian Air Force loadmaster Corporal Cameron Kunde and Ms Emily Pitakaji from the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources analyse maritime surveillance imagery on a C-27J Spartan aircraft. *Image has been digitally altered for operational security.

As part of the operation, a Royal Australian Air Force C-27J Spartan aircraft and supporting Australian Defence Force personnel deployed to Solomon Islands, contributing aerial surveillance and information-sharing support across more than 320,000 square kilometres of Solomon Islands’ exclusive economic zone.

Operation Island Chief is one of four annual Pacific-led maritime surveillance operations supported by regional and international partners. This year’s activity brought together Pacific countries and partners, including Australia, France, New Zealand and the United States, to strengthen coordination and protect shared ocean resources.

Contingent Commander and C-27J Spartan captain, Flight Lieutenant Katherine Mitchell, said the Australian crew worked closely with Forum Fisheries Agency members to identify potential threats to Solomon Islands’ maritime security.

“ADF surveillance patrols identified 19 vessels of interest in Solomon Islands’ exclusive economic zone and reported suspicious activity at sea to the FFA and participating authorities for assessment and follow-up action,” Flight Lieutenant Mitchell said.

Commander Joint Operations, Vice Admiral Justin Jones, AO, CSC, said the deployment reinforced Australia’s commitment to supporting Pacific priorities through practical cooperation.

“Our strength in the Pacific comes from partnership. By combining our capabilities and sharing information, we are supporting Pacific nations in responding to shared challenges and building a more secure region,” Vice Admiral Jones said.

Vice Admiral Jones said illegal fishing undermines sovereignty, economic security and regional stability, and that Australia was proud to stand with Pacific partners to deter threats and protect what matters most.

“Australia’s security starts with a secure region. Through this operation, we are backing Pacific-led action, building interoperability with our partners, and helping ensure the Pacific remains safe, stable and resilient,” he said.

Acting Defence Adviser Brett Verity said the deployment of 25 secondees to the Regional Fisheries Surveillance Centre in Honiara played a vital role in bringing Pacific partners together during Operation Island Chief.

Royal Australian Air Force pilot Flight Lieutenant Katherine Mitchell (right) and loadmaster Flight Sergeant Samuel Feddersen discuss a mission brief with Mr Brian Kwaimani from the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources at Honiara Airport, Solomon Islands. 

“This operation strengthened Pacific regional coordination, expertise and supports our shared commitment to protecting the region’s fisheries resources,” Mr Verity said. “We are proud of the dedication shown by all participants, whose contributions have helped strengthen regional partnerships and advance our shared objectives.”

Across the Pacific, Operation Island Chief resulted in 10,884 detections, the boarding and inspection of 133 vessels, 45 vessel contacts with high-risk assessments and the identification of vessels of interest. Four vessels were apprehended during the operation.

Participating Pacific partners included Solomon Islands, Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Vanuatu, Samoa, Tuvalu, Kiribati and Nauru, with support from Australia, France, New Zealand and the United States.