The U.S. Coast Guard recently concluded its support for the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Forum Fisheries Agency's (FFA) Operation Kurukuru, a vital annual operation led by Pacific Island countries across the region's vast maritime territory from Oct. 21 to Nov. 1, 2024.

This coordinated effort, conducted over two weeks, covered approximately 23.3 million square kilometers, reinforcing regional resilience and promoting sustainable fisheries management across the Pacific. The Coast Guard's support underscores the United States' enduring commitment to its Pacific partners, who rely on these rich marine resources for economic stability and food security.

"Our role in Operation Kurukuru is supporting our Pacific neighbors in protecting what matters most to their communities," said Capt. Jennifer Conklin, lead for Operation Blue Pacific. "From coordinating patrols to participating in Niue's 50th Constitution Day celebration, the Coast Guard is here to lend our expertise and resources wherever we can make a positive impact. It's also a chance to celebrate each Pacific Island country's unique culture and proud sovereignty. By working together, we strengthen regional bonds and show our commitment to supporting a Pacific that thrives on its own terms."

Throughout the operation, the USCGC Frederick Hatch (WPC 1143) crew from Guam and an HC-130 Hercules aircrew from Air Station Barbers Point, Hawai'i, worked alongside Pacific Island countries' personnel, strengthening capabilities through patrols, data sharing, and shiprider operations. In Palau's exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and despite heavy weather, Frederick Hatch conducted a bilateral patrol with a Palau Marine Law Officer aboard under the Palau-U.S. bilateral agreement, building on previous efforts to enhance enforcement and address local maritime challenges and discussing plans for future joint steaming with Palau's patrol boat crew PSS H.I. Remeliik II. The team also completed inspections of two fishing vessels on the high seas under the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Council (WCPFC) authority, identifying potential violations and gathering critical data that enables targeted enforcement of sustainable fishing practices.

"Working alongside Palau and our Pacific partners, we build skills together, ensuring a secure and sustainable future," said Lt. Niki Kirchner-Hope, commanding officer of USCGC Frederick Hatch, who helped lead coordination efforts in Palau. "When we team up with Palauan shipriders, it's not just about enforcement—it's about trust, shared responsibility, and protecting the ocean for everyone."

The U.S. Coast Guard's HC-130 aircrew conducted extensive aerial surveillance throughout the high seas pockets off the Federated States of Micronesia, key fishing zones. It delivered valuable data to help guide surface assets across the region. The aircrew logged over 45 flight hours and flew more than 11,400 nautical miles, monitoring for illegal fishing activities while also standing by to assist with search and rescue (SAR) operations when needed.

"The HC-130 is truly a workhorse for our missions in the Pacific," said Conklin. "With its incredible range and versatility, it allows us to cover immense distances, monitor vast areas, and respond quickly to emerging needs, whether that's surveillance or search and rescue. It's the ideal aircraft for supporting our partners in this part of the world, where a single search or patrol can span thousands of miles of open ocean."

This dual role is an example of the U.S. Coast Guard's unique mission profile in the Pacific, where cooperation and responsiveness are crucial to supporting isolated communities across immense distances.

Both the Hercules and the Frederick Hatch crews were diverted during the operation to support the Chuuk Disaster Control Office's (DCO) request for assistance in searching for three men reported overboard from a small vessel in Chuuk Lagoon. The crews searched for three days before the DCO suspended efforts.

As part of the operation, the U.S. Coast Guard team joined Niue's Constitution Day celebrations, marking 50 years of self-governance and deepening diplomatic ties. U.S. Coast Guard representatives met with Niue's leaders to discuss advancing maritime law enforcement collaboration and future cooperation. The Coast Guard's Hercules aircrew also hosted a static display for local students, allowing over 100 visitors to learn about the United States' commitment to Pacific maritime security and environmental protection.

Niue, often called the "Rock of Polynesia," is a small island country in the South Pacific known for its dramatic limestone cliffs, lush coral reefs, and warm, clear waters. With a population of just over 1,500, Niue is one of the world's largest coral islands and boasts a rich Polynesian heritage. Despite its remote location, Niue has established itself as a leader in marine conservation, with 40 percent of its EEZ designated as a protected area.

"During Niue's Constitution Day, our crew had a fantastic time hosting the static display," added Conklin. "The local students were full of excitement and curiosity—seeing their enthusiasm up close was a special reminder of why we're here. Moments like these show the importance of the connections we build, not just through our missions but by being part of these communities."

Participation in the FFA operations is a critical element of the Coast Guard's Operation Blue Pacific and Operation Rematau initiatives, which aim to strengthen maritime security across Oceania, foster regional partnerships, and counter illegal activities threatening Pacific Island countries' well-being. By supporting the PIF and working with partners to detect, deter, and disrupt illegal fishing, the U.S. Coast Guard helps ensure Pacific Island communities can continue to benefit from the ocean's resources. The efforts conducted at sea with partners from the Freely Associated States also build on relationships strengthened under Operation Irensia in Guam in June, which brought together maritime personnel from the Republic of Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Royal Australian Navy and Australian Defence Force Pacific Maritime Security Program.

"As the Coast Guard, we have a unique role here, helping build resilience against maritime threats while respecting the lead of our Pacific Island partners," said Conklin. "By working together, we're making the region safer, stronger, more secure and more prosperous."

-USCG-

About Operation Kurukuru
Conducted in the combined area of the 15 participating PIF members' EEZ and the adjacent high seas pockets, Operation Kurukuru emphasized boarding activities at sea and in port, cooperative surveillance engagements, the utilization of remote sensing data to drive intelligence-led operations, and the use of all available Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) tools to provide timely and effective MDA information to members. These members include Australia, Cook Islands, Fiji, Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Nauru, New Zealand, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu. The operation also saw active participation from the Pacific Quadrilateral Defense Coordination Group (Pacific QUADs) countries—Australia, France, New Zealand, and the United States, demonstrating international collaboration in the fight against IUU fishing.


About USCGC Frederick Hatch
The Frederick Hatch is the 43rd 154-foot Sentinel-class fast response cutter named for a surfman and lighthouse keeper who was a two-time Gold Life Saving Medal recipient. They are also the 2023 Hopley Yeaton Award winners for small cutter excellence.

About U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point
U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point provides critical air support across the Pacific, enhancing maritime safety, security, and environmental protection. Located on the western tip of Oahu, Hawaii, the air station conducts search and rescue, law enforcement, and disaster response missions over vast and remote areas, including the Hawaiian Islands, American Samoa, and the Western Pacific.

About Operation Blue Pacific
Operation Blue Pacific is the U.S. Coast Guard's strategic effort to support a peaceful, secure, inclusive, and prosperous Pacific region. Focused on partnership, capacity-building, and enhancing maritime governance, the operation emphasizes collaboration with Pacific Island countries to address shared challenges such as illegal fishing, search and rescue, environmental protection, and regional security.

For further details on the U.S. Coast Guard efforts, please contact District 14 Public Affairs at hawaiipacific@uscg.mil.

For further details about FFA or Operation Kurukru, please contact Ernest Ta'asi, FFA Communications Officer, at ernest.ta'asi@ffa.int.