U.S. Coast Guard, international partners conclude Operation Nasse in Pacific region

U.S. Coast Guard, international partners conclude Operation Nasse in Pacific region

Sai Sarau, a Cook Islands Ministry of Marine Resources fisheries officer, conducts a boarding on a commercial fishing vessel operating in the Cook Islands’ exclusive economic zone June 9, 2025. The crew of medium endurance cutter USCGC Harriet Lane (WMEC 903) conducted bilateral maritime law enforcement operations with the Cook Island Ministry of Marine Resources as part of Operation Nasse, a three-month operation conducted by Australia, France, New Zealand, and the U.S. to detect, deter, and disrupt illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing on the high seas of the Pacific Ocean. (U.S. Coast Guard video)

U.S. Coast Guard, international partners conclude Operation Nasse in Pacific region

Officers with the French Armed Forces in New Caledonia prepare to board a commercial fishing vessel on the high seas in the Pacific Ocean June 20, 2025. FANC officers conducted fisheries inspections as part of Operation Nasse, a three-month operation conducted by Australia, France, New Zealand, and the U.S. to safeguard the marine resources of Pacific Island nations. (U.S. Coast Guard photo, courtesy French Armed Forces in New Caledonia)

U.S. Coast Guard, international partners conclude Operation Nasse in Pacific region

A 26-foot over-the-horizon small boat from the medium endurance cutter USCGC Harriet Lane (WMEC 903) transits around a commercial fishing vessel as officers from the Cook Island Ministry of Marine Resources conduct a boarding on the vessel in the Cook Islands’ exclusive economic zone June 7, 2025. The Harriet Lane crew conducted bilateral maritime law enforcement operations with the Cook Islands as part of Operation Nasse, a three-month operation during which participating nations conducted 31 high seas boardings, resulting in 39 potential violations. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Austin Wiley)

U.S. Coast Guard, international partners conclude Operation Nasse in Pacific region

Officers with the French Armed Forces in New Caledonia board a commercial fishing vessel on the high seas in the Pacific Ocean June 20, 2025. During Operation Nasse, a three-month operation conducted by Australia, France, New Zealand, and the U.S., participating officers conducted 31 high seas boardings, resulting in 39 potential violations. (U.S. Coast Guard photo, courtesy French Armed Forces in New Caledonia)

U.S. Coast Guard, international partners conclude Operation Nasse in Pacific region

Australian Fisheries Management Authority officers aboard the New South Wales Water Police vessel Nemesis patrol the Tasman Sea July 6, 2025. AFMA joined Pacific Quadrilateral Defence Coordination Group partners, France, New Zealand, and the U.S., during Operation Nasse, an annual multilateral fisheries monitoring, control and surveillance activity which detects, deters, and disrupts illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing on the high seas of the Pacific Ocean. (U.S. Coast Guard photo, courtesy Australian Fisheries Management Authority)

U.S. Coast Guard, international partners conclude Operation Nasse in Pacific region

Officers with the French Armed Forces in New Caledonia prepare to board a commercial fishing vessel on the high seas in the Pacific Ocean June 20, 2025. FANC officers conducted fisheries inspections as part of Operation Nasse alongside medium endurance cutter USCGC Harriet Lane (WMEC 903), New South Wales Police vessel Nemesis, a P8-A from the Royal New Zealand Air Force, and a King Air airplane from the Pacific Islands Forum Fishing Agency. (U.S. Coast Guard photo, courtesy French Armed Forces in New Caledonia)

U.S. Coast Guard, international partners conclude Operation Nasse in Pacific region

Cpl. Kenneth Lacy, a linguist for the U.S. Marine Corps, transits from the fantail of the medium endurance cutter USCGC Harriet Lane (WMEC 903) to a 26-foot over-the-horizon small boat in the Pacific Ocean June 9, 2025. The Harriet Lane crew conducted bilateral maritime law enforcement operations with the Cook Island Ministry of Marine Resources as part of Operation Nasse, a three-month operation conducted by Australia, France, New Zealand, and the U.S. to detect, deter, and disrupt illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing on the high seas of the Pacific Ocean. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Austin Wiley)

Editor's Note: Click here to download video.

HONOLULU – The U.S. Coast Guard completed participation July 11 in Operation Nasse, a three-month operation conducted by Australia, France, New Zealand, and the U.S. to safeguard the marine resources of Pacific Island nations.

Tonga, Fiji, Vanuatu, and Solomon Islands joined international partners from the Pacific Quadrilateral Defence Coordination Group (PQUAD) to combat illegal fishing in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean.

Coast Guard Oceania District hosted the joint coordination center for Operation Nasse at Coast Guard Base Honolulu, synchronizing aerial and sea assets in targeted high seas areas.

Participating nations deployed assets including medium endurance cutter USCGC Harriet Lane (WMEC 903), New South Wales Police Force Offshore Patrol Vessel Nemesis, French Navy ships Auguste Benebig and Teriieroo a Teriierooiterai, Gardian aircraft from the French Armed Forces in New Caledonia, a P8-A from the Royal New Zealand Air Force, and a King Air airplane from the Pacific Islands Forum Fishing Agency.

The operation covered over 6.54 million square nautical miles and resulted in: 

• 80 aerial sightings of fishing vessels 
• 31 high seas boardings 
• 39 potential violations reported, which were referred to the relevant flag state 

Operation Nasse aims to improve understanding of fishing practices and compliance issues, the accuracy of regional fishing activity data, and the health assessment of key fish stocks, especially South Pacific Albacore. It also aids in the practical application and enforcement of international fisheries conservation and management measures.

“This multinational operation is integral to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing in the Pacific Ocean,” said Lt. Cmdr. Mary Kate Wheeler, joint coordination center commander for Operation Nasse. “Protecting marine resources, ensuring sustainable fisheries, and safeguarding the livelihood of Pacific Island nations all contribute to stability within the region. We are grateful to our Pacific Partners for their invaluable contributions and close coordination through every step of this mission.” 

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-USCG-