Official Launch: Operation Ika Moana Officially Opens in Apia, Samoa

In a landmark event for Samoa and the broader Pacific region, the Official Opening of Operation Ika Moana was held today in Apia, heralding a new chapter in sustainable ocean management, regional maritime cooperation, and fisheries protection.

The ceremony, held at Apia Wharf, was attended by high-level dignitaries including the Honourable Caretaker Prime Minister of Samoa, Afioga Fiame Naomi Mataafa, representatives from the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA), and international partners, and other key maritime stakeholders.

Operation Ika Moana—named after the Samoan words for “Fish” (Ika) and “Ocean” (Moana)—is a collaborative maritime surveillance initiative aimed at combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing across the Pacific.

The operation aligns with Samoa’s national development goals and regional commitments to ocean governance, including the Pacific Oceanscape Framework.

In her keynote address, Caretaker Prime Minister Afioga Fiame Naomi Mataafa; emphasized the significance and importance of Operation Ika Moana. “The importance of Operation Ika Moana lies in uniting our maritime forces, patrols information sharing and coordinated effort to deter threats.”

The week long operation will commence with patrol boats heading out to various EEZ areas of Samoa and highseas on this side of the Pacific. Observer nations will have oversight of patrols from the Operation Centre based in the Police Maritime Wing, Matautu.

Together for a Safe Blue Pacific.