Samoa has taken part in a regional maritime surveillance operation aimed at strengthening cooperation against illegal fishing in the Pacific.
According to a press release from the French Embassy in Samoa dated 10 June 2026, Mr Vaa Reupena, an officer from Samoa’s Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, boarded a French aircraft at Faleolo Airport to take part in the Tu‘i Moana fisheries control operation coordinated by the Forum Fisheries Agency.
The operation was conducted from 4 to 22 May 2026 and involved 10 Pacific Island countries, including Samoa.
The French Embassy said the operation was supported by Pacific Quad partners Australia, New Zealand, France and the United States, with French forces from New Caledonia and Papeete also involved.
During the mission, Mr Reupena boarded a Falcon 200 Guardian aircraft of the French Navy, which was deployed to Apia. He flew as an observer during a maritime surveillance mission over Samoa’s Exclusive Economic Zone.
The embassy said two Fijian officers were also deployed on the French Navy Ship Bougainville, which is well known in Apia, for five days of missions focused on illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.
“As a development partner of Samoa and a Pacific nation, France is addressing growing threats in the region, such as illegal fishing, drug trafficking and the fight against maritime pollution,” the statement said.
The embassy also noted that the French territory of Wallis and Futuna shares a maritime border with Samoa, making regional cooperation important for the protection of fisheries and maritime security.
The Tu‘i Moana operation is part of ongoing regional efforts to protect Pacific fisheries resources and strengthen coordination between island nations and international partners.
The information was released by France in Samoa – La France aux Samoa in a press release dated 10 June 2026.
