NEW Zealand air force and Customs units have stepped up operations in Fiji waters in efforts to reduce drug trafficking and illegal fishing.
Two Royal New Zealand Air Force aircraft with spotters from the RNZAF and Customs flew 52 patrol hours suspicious activity of vessels carrying out potential illegal activities.
The operation supported the Forum Fisheries Agency’s Operation Tui Moana and New Zealand Customs-led Operation Kiwa to deter and disrupt transnational, serious and organised crime.
Two New Zealand Defence Force analysts, supported by two New Zealand Customs representatives, provided oversight of the operation from the Maritime Essential Services Centre in Fiji.
The surveillance assistance was provided at the request of the Fijian government and the FFA.
A P-8A Poseidon and a MC-12K King Air reconnaissance aircraft flew the patrol with vessels of interest photographed for assessment by authorities.
RNZAF Air Component Commander, Air Commodore Andy Scott, said the operation was important for the economic prosperity and regional security and stability of the Pacific.
“Pacific security is the shared responsibility of Pacific Islands Forum members. This is the third time we have deployed the MC-12K to Fiji in the past 12 months, because threats to regional security and stability affect all of us,’’ he said.
“We are proud to provide this capability to assist in the fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, and transnational serious and organised crime.”
New Zealand Customs Service Group Manager Maritime, Paul Campbell, said strong partnerships across the Pacific were fundamental to strengthening capability, lifting maritime security and combatting transnational, serious and organised crime across the region.
“Sharing information and intelligence to disrupt criminals seeking to use the maritime domain are fundamental elements of Operation Kiwa,’’ he said.
“Through this work, we’re extending our reach, deepening our understanding of regional risks, and enabling faster, more targeted action to protect New Zealand and the Pacific.’’
The FFA operates two King Air aircraft for surveillance of Pacific waters and these are supported by Australia, France, and New Zealand.
Recently, Fiji’s Cabinet approved moves to invest in its own aircraft for use in surveillance, search, rescue, and VIP operations.
