From 12 to 18 August, as part of Operation ISLAND CHIEF 23 coordinated by the Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA), the D’Entrecasteaux Overseas Support and Assistance Building (BSAOM) conducted a fisheries policing mission in South Pacific waters.
The crew conducted 3 high seas fishing controls, as well as radio checks in the Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) of Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands. For several days, the BSAOM had the opportunity to cooperate with a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) C27 aircraft when sharing their respective tactical situations.
The aim of this operation is to prevent illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing activities and to carry out joint actions with Pacific partners. These actions ensure compliance with Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) regulations in the South Pacific and aim to ensure the sustainability of fisheries, which are a key resource for the Pacific Islands economy.
Once again, the FANC showed its role as a major player in international cooperation with the support of BSAOM D’Entrecasteaux.
The Armed Forces of New Caledonia (FANC) allow the France to have a permanent military presence in the South Pacific Ocean in order to protect French interests in the region. As such, they maintain the military partnerships of the France in this area of strategic interest.
With more than 1,450 military personnel, the FANC provide regular support to State action missions at sea. They have the capacity to intervene to deal with a security or climate crisis affecting the area. The FANC regularly shares its expertise in the field of assistance to populations affected by natural disasters, or maritime security with security and defence forces of partner countries in the South Pacific.