Despite significant progress, illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing still exists in Pacific tuna fisheries. The most recent estimate for 2017–19 is for 192,186 tonnes of IUU fishing, worth USD$333 million (ex-vessel value).

IUU fishing is mostly:

driven by licensed vessels (over 95% of the total estimated volume and value of IUU activity)
due to under-reporting, misreporting and non-reporting catches.

We focus on improving levels of compliance among licensed fleets.

We also want to strengthen national capacity and regional solidarity to prevent, deter and eliminate IUU fishing in the Pacific, so we must provide policy and services for our Members.

Our work in this area involves:

giving policy and technical expertise
sharing information
creating and implementing monitoring projects
conducting regional surveillance
running the FFA Regional Observer programme, Vessel Monitoring System and licence information list
controlling fishing in Members’ waters by providing Minimum Terms and Conditions for licensed vessels.

How does this relate to our Strategic Outcomes?

Strategies to achieve Strategic Outcome #3 (from Strategic Plan 2020-25):

Ensure measures and laws that define fisheries rights and control fishing activity can be effectively monitored and enforced.
Reduce IUU through the implementation of the Regional Monitoring, Control and Surveillance Strategy (RMCSS) at the national and regional level..
Improve Monitoring, Control and Surveillance on the high seas.
Strengthen the capacity of relevant Members to implement their responsibilities as flag, port and processing States
Actively participate in the WCPFC compliance processes
Utilise international forums to enhance global recognition and adoption of zone-based management and protect Members’ fishing rights.

Regional Monitoring Control and Surveillance (MCS) Strategy 2024-2029

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The vision of this Strategy is

“Our people enjoying the greatest possible social and economic benefits from the sustainable use of offshore fisheries resources”.

This is the vision for the region’s fisheries outlined in the FFA Strategic Plan 2020-2025 and recognises that MCS is one component of the overall fisheries management and development system in the region which need to work together to achieve FFA Members’ overarching vision.

The goal of this Strategy is to optimise compliance with fisheries management frameworks in the Pacific Islands region.

EXAMPLES OF THE WORK WE DO IN MONITORING, CONTROL AND SURVEILLANCE OF PACIFIC TUNA FISHING ACTIVITIES

Monitoring, Control and Surveillance of Pacific tuna fishing activities

Surveillance

Surveillance

Policy

Vessel monitoring

Observation

Technical support

of Pacific tuna fishing activities through our Fisheries Operation Division

IUU fishing is mostly:

Our work in this area involves:

How does this relate to our Strategic Outcomes?

Regional Monitoring Control and Surveillance (MCS) Strategy 2024-2029

EXAMPLES OF THE WORK WE DO IN MONITORING, CONTROL AND SURVEILLANCE OF PACIFIC TUNA FISHING ACTIVITIES

29th MCS Working Group: Investment in capacity and systems reflects positive impact of regional surveillance operations

Operation Rai Balang delivers strong start to 2026 Pacific fisheries surveillance

Operation Island Chief reinforces Pacific unity against illegal fishing

FFA applauds landmark Operation Ika Moana led by Samoa

PNG hosts High Seas Boarding and Inspection Training to Strengthen Fisheries Surveillance

Fiji inaugurates new monitoring centre to battle illegal fishing

FFA welcomes US announcement of significant increase to financial contribution under Multilateral Tuna Treaty with Pacific Island countries

Monitoring, control and surveillance operation to help stop illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing a success

Regional Cooperation ensures 17 Passengers rescued from boat in distress

New high tech tools trialled in Pacific response to illegal fishing

Illegal Unreported Unregulated Tuna Fishing IUU

Pacific fisheries protected through co-operative surveillance operation

Operation Island Chief continues protection of Pacific from illegal fishing

The Pacific Way – Cooperation in MCS Technologies

Pacific Fisheries Surveillance Operation a success

Fisheries Surveillance crucial to protecting Pacific Island economies

First FFA-led monitoring, control and surveillance operation for the year

FFA wins global stop IUU fishing prize

Pacific leaders welcome state of the art aerial surveillance

IUU cases open up in wake of regional ‘Island Chief’ Fisheries Operation

Intel and analysis continues as Tui Moana surveillance sweep ends

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