ABSTRACT
This chapter reveals how Australia’s Eastern Ocean (Pacific Ocean) has dominated the strategic debate. Australia has invested significantly in the small Pacific island states to ensure their maritime security through the Pacific Maritime Security Program (PMSP), which is the gifting of patrol vessels, advisors, a fusion centre and aerial surveillance support. The Eastern Ocean is home to over half the world’s tuna stock and this is of significant value to the region. This and other fisheries are also under considerable pressure, something that means that fisheries protection is becoming ever more important. This is playing out on a range of different levels, including that of strategic competition as the world’s largest ocean is host to old and new actors and Australia’s quest for regional leadership is being tested.
