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 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 Operation 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.
