Honiara, Thursday, 24 July 2025 — The Solomon Islands is progressing steadily toward finalizing its Maritime Security Strategy (SI MSS) 2024–2027, a key national initiative aligned with both the Solomon Islands National Strategy 2025–2028 and the National Development Strategy 2016–2035. This comprehensive strategy is designed to secure the country’s vast maritime domain of approximately 1.6 million square kilometers, addressing critical challenges such as illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, transnational crimes, environmental hazards, and geopolitical risks.
At a recent Maritime Security Information Sharing Session held Tuesday this week at the New Zealand High Commission Conference Room in Honiara, leaders from government, academia, and international partners shared updates and insights that are shaping the national approach.
Key Highlights of the SI Maritime Security Strategy
• The strategy emphasizes a whole-of-society approach by engaging government agencies, private sector stakeholders, and communities to ensure broad-based perspectives and cooperation in protecting maritime interests.
• It is anchored around five strategic priorities:
1. Strengthening legal frameworks and enforcement through expanded Ship rider Agreements and enhanced powers to tackle IUU fishing and maritime crime.
2. Building stronger maritime surveillance capabilities.
3. Enhancing environmental protection including the establishment of a Marine Pollution Response Unit and expanding Marine Protected Areas.
4. Improving regional integration by connecting the Solomon Islands’ systems with regional entities such as the Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) and Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC).
5. Utilizing smarter tools and coordination for better prevention, detection, and response to maritime threats.
Deputy Secretary National Security of the Ministry of Police, National Security & Correctional Services, Anthony Kivolyn, detailed New Zealand’s experience in developing its Maritime Security Strategy, highlighting the importance of strategic vision, stakeholder engagement, prioritization, and a clear roadmap for implementation. These insights are informing the Solomon Islands’ efforts to develop a robust and practical framework.
Permanent Secretary Karen Galokale reinforced the national commitment, noting that the SI MSS aligns with broader national development goals and reinforces the government’s resolve to protect maritime sovereignty while supporting sustainable economic opportunities through effective governance of maritime resources.
Dr. Transform Aqorau, Vice-Chancellor of Solomon Islands National University, underscored the existential importance of maritime security for the nation and sets ambitious targets: a 30% reduction in IUU fishing and achieving high levels of EEZ surveillance by 2027. He emphasized that maritime security is not optional for the Solomon Islands given its vast ocean territory, and stronger coordination, legal reforms, and regional partnerships are essential for success.
The strategy is anticipated to be finalized by the end of 2025, marking a significant step toward securing Solomon Islands’ vast maritime domain and reinforcing national and regional maritime security cooperation.
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-MPNSCS Press
