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Operation Big Eye 2011 Continues Success

Palikir, Pohnpei (FSM Information Services): August 19, 2011 - The FSM's National Police Maritime Wing patrol boats FSS PALIKIR and FSS MICRONESIA have just returned to Pohnpei following a successful joint fisheries surveillance operation, together with patrol boats from the Republic of Palau (ROP) and the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI), aircraft from the Royal Australian Air Force, US Navy, US Coast Guard and Surveillance officers from each country of the Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA).

The operation was conducted under a surveillance agreement between the three Micronesian nations and Nauru. Aimed at fostering coordination and cooperation in regional surveillance of the fishing activities occurring in the Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ) of the participants, the operation covered well in excess of 9,000,000 square kilometers of ocean, and resulted in numerous boardings of fishing vessels, several apprehensions and a number of citations.

With BIG EYE 2011 now successfully completed, the FSM patrol boats will continue to keep the momentum of these successes in their efforts to protect the FSM's oceanic territory. These efforts will continue to be supported by the Australian Government through the Defense Cooperation Program and Australian Navy personnel based in Pohnpei.

For more information, please contact the Marine Surveillance section of FSM National Police at 320-2384.