Canada Initiates High Seas Mission to Combat Illegal Fishing in the North Pacific

On October 1, 2024, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) announced the launch of Operation North Pacific Guard (Op.NPG), a high seas mission aimed at detecting and deterring illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing in the North Pacific Ocean. This operation is part of Canada's Indo-Pacific Strategy and involves a multi-national effort to coordinate fisheries enforcement in the region.

The mission will be led by DFO fishery officers and supported by personnel from the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG), as well as officers from the United States Coast Guard and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Over a period of two months, the CCGS Sir Wilfrid Laurier will patrol more than 7,500 kilometers, conducting high seas boardings and inspections to ensure compliance with international fishing regulations.

In addition to enforcement activities, fishery officers will collect environmental data and water samples to enhance understanding of the high seas ecosystem, including the migration patterns of species such as Pacific salmon and the presence of microplastics.

This year's mission marks several firsts for the CCG, including its first port visit to Japan and the use of a more environmentally friendly fuel blend. The operation is supported by funding from the Pacific Salmon Strategy Initiative, which aims to bolster conservation and protection efforts for Pacific salmon stocks.