BY SAMIE WAIKORI

The Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) members have successfully concluded “Operation Kurukuru 2025”, which targeted Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing in the Pacific.

The operation was reported to be the region’s largest coordinated maritime surveillance, and marks the inaugural implementation of the FFA’s Regional Monitoring Control and Surveillance (RMSS) Strategy 2024-2029.

According to FFA, the strategy is a coordinated regional plan from its 15 members including Australia and New Zealand, aimed to counter IUU fishing in the Pacific.

The strategy focuses on strengthening vessel oversight, ensuring catch traceability, and integrating surveillance efforts through regional cooperation and advanced tools like remote sensing and intelligence-driven surveillance.

Key goals include reducing IUU fishing, ensuring laws can be monitored and enforced, and implementing digital monitoring and reporting tools to support national and regional strategies.

In a press conference yesterday, FFA officials shared key highlights of Operation Kurukuru, which resulted in the arrest of a vessel, Hua Sheng 1, on Wednesday this week at the Indispensable Reefs, 50km South of Rennel Bellona.

During the operation, which highly coordinated by 17 FFA members, more than 30 million square kilometres of Pacific region were covered.

A total of 56 vessel sightings, 126 vessel boardings, 11 vessels of interest and 1 vessel being detained.

FFA Director General, Noan David Pakop in his statement said Operation Kurukuru 2025 is more than just an annual surveillance exercise. It marks the first full year implementation of our Regional MCS Strategy.

“It demonstrates how policy commitments are being put into action through coordinated patrols, intelligence sharing and targeted enforcement.

“Our members are using data and technology more effectively than ever to protect their tuna resources,” he said.

Island Sun reported yesterday that the vessel, which found with local and foreign crews, is being detained at the Royal Solomon Island Police Force (RSIPF) Maritime Unit Aola Patrol Base, awaiting investigation.

The Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resource (MFMR), which played pivotal role together with FFA and RSIPF in the operation, said investigation on this locally flagged vessel begun yesterday.

A spokesperson told Island Sun on Thursday that if the investigation found some breach of law, then, penalties would then be imposed whether through fine or court.

“Now it is still in the early stage of investigation,” said the spokesperson.

At the moment, it is too early to say whether the vessel was involved in illegal fishing or breached conditions with FFA.

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

Two to three tropical cyclones are predicted for the season of November 2025 to April 2026 according to the Tropical Cyclone Season 2025-2026 outlook for Solomon Islands.

The Solomon Islands Meteorological Services (SIMS) officially released the 2025-26 Outlook on Friday, 31 October 2025.

The SIMS said that the Tropical cyclone season is essential as the season starts on 1 November 2025.

“Time to prepare now for the season – our families, communities and properties for the season. The tropical cyclone season is also our wet season and it associates with strong winds, heavy rainfall and rough seas,” SIMS said in a statement.

Edward Maru, Deputy Director of Solomon Islands Meteorological Service said in his Facebook awareness post that cyclone season and wet season in the Southern hemisphere including Solomon Islands starts on November 01st, 2025 to April 30th, 2026.

Maru said that people living near rivers should take proper care and prepare to move to high grounds as heavy rain from wet season poses the risk of flash flooding.

“People living near or on hilltops should also take precautions for potential landslides. Tropical cyclone can form anytime during the season within Solomon waters or from our neighbouring country and move towards us, eg, Vanuatu Australia and Fiji,” he said.

He advised that Tropical Cyclone can cause extreme winds, rough seas and high swells which can lead to coastal flooding.

“It doesn’t mean that only severe cyclone can cause big damages. Even if it is a low-pressure or tropical low, the weather office can make announcement of weather warnings or alert,” he said.

He said in the past, the country experienced flooding from heavy rains despite the absence of a cyclone.

“Listen to weather office for warnings and national disaster management office (NDMO) for what to do information. Listen to SIBC, FMs, other media outlets or check out weather office -met service Facebook page for more updates or call weather forecasting office at 933 or 27658 for more updates and NDMO on phone, 677 27936/7, 27063 or Toll-free 955,” Maru advised.

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

World Wide Fund for Nature Solomon Islands (WWF-SI) Conservation Manager, Henry Kaniki said WWF-SI acknowledges the challenges faced by local sea grapes farmers in Western Province.

He said WWF SI is partnering with four communities in the Western Province, namely; Kongulavata, Sairagi, Boboe, and Pusiju.

He said this partnership is to support sustainable sea grapes harvesting andto improve local livelihoods and empower and promote the conservation of marine ecosystems through nature-based solution

“Obvious challenge for sea grapes is the high sea temperature. It affects sea grapes growth. The communities themselves even noticed,” Kaniki said.

He said people also experienced most of their sea grapes close to the shoreline dying during dry weather.

“This usually occurs during low tides. However, when the high tides come back, the sea grapes started to recover and grew faster again. This related to climate change,” he said.

He said that sea grapes usually grow healthy when the sea condition is favourable.

“For example, it quickly grew and branch out after two weeks later after harvesting. It is quick to recover and grow,” he said.

He said the other challenge is overharvesting by villagers despite them having rules in place.

“You know what happens at the rural communities. So, when there is overharvesting, sea grapes take time to grow or recover.

“Even though they have rules in place, others can still break the rules.

“Thus, our team continues to provide capacity trainings to ease these challenges,” he said.

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BY MORRIS NAFU

The Makira-Ulawa Provincial Government has kick started a major agriculture initiative by resuming presence in its Okea land, North Guadalcanal Plains.

The provincial government, under the People Alliance for Change and Advancement (PACRA) administration, recommitted to the Kakake land in Okea, North Guadalcanal Plains, during a customary Chupu ceremony on Wednesday, attended by representatives from Guadalcanal Provincial Government and the land-owning Ghaobata tribe.

The 6.8-hectare parcel, acquired by the province in 1997, is scheduled for redevelopment as part of efforts to boost local revenue through investments.

Provincial Premier Stanley Siapu led the initiative, emphasising its significance beyond mere formality.

“This event is a homecoming, a reconnection to land of historical and spiritual importance.

“We return not as claimants, but as family, with humility and gratitude, to reaffirm our bond with the Okea land and its people,” Siapu said.

He added that the move fulfills their forefather’s visions for provincial betterment, with the aim to generate internal revenue and reduce reliance on national funding.

Guadalcanal Provincial Premier, Willie Atu confirmed the land’s legal status was already established, describing the gathering as a vital affirmation of customary traditions.

“I respect and uphold Makira Ulawa’s gesture, and Guadalcanal is open to this partnership,” Atu said.

In showing support to the Makira Province, Premier Atu attended the programme with the majority of his government MPAs.

Following the ceremony, the province signed an agreement with the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL) to develop the site.

The land’s history traces back to investments by the Makira Economic Development Authority (MEDA), a provincial business arm.

Proceeds from a joint venture with Vanuatu-based Frabell, a Philippine company, funded the purchase for commercial use, including a property in Kola Ridge.

Under manager Caesar, MEDA grew from zero to a million dollars in returns.

However, the deportation of the MEDA general manager by the national government in the late 1990s triggered a decline, leaving the land undeveloped for 28 years and incurring costs.

The Chupu ceremony marks a revival, enabling redevelopment.

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By RODRICK DESURI 

Auki 

Malaita Province’s Revenue Collection Team will soon make a combined trip to the Malaita Outer Islands.

The purpose of the trip is to register businesses operating illegally and to assist individuals who want to start business activities on the islands.

The Provincial Secretary of Malaita Province, Eric George confirmed that the team will include police officers and the province’s revenue officers. 

He said they were alerted to the matter when they checked their records. 

“I do not know about the illegal business operations until we checked the business premises with our records.

“Our revenue team is scheduling a business revenue spot check trip to MOI,”, he said.

He said the delay of the combined trip is due to transportation difficulties and challenges.

“The delay was due to transport difficulties for a combined trip. The trip will involve our police officers as well. This will help to get the proprietors to pay their business licenses,” he said.

Peter Riika Herehura from the Administration Office of Malaita Provincial Government also confirmed the trip.

“The revenue team must reach the Malaita Outer Islands to do an urgent business registration of illegal businesses operating sometime next month,” he said.

Island Sun understands that business licence and liquor licence are licences the people of Malaita Outer Islands need to settle.

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