Australia has offered an integrated aerial surveillance contract for the fishing zones of Pacific countries.
The offer is for 30 years and Canberra is ready to spend more than $US11 million dollars a year on the scheme to be managed by the Forum Fisheries Agency.
The FFA's director general, James Movick, says the scheme, due to start in July next year, is a very large commitment by Australia and supplements its renewed Pacific Patrol Boat Program under which it is donating upgraded vessels for each of the island countries.
FFA surveillance operations Photo: supplied/FFA