A team from the Coastal Fisheries Division visited Tabiteuea North from Thursday, 11th September, to Thursday, 18th September 2025, to consult with the full council on the new giant clam hatchery project and to support milkfish farming activities on the island.

On Monday, 15th September 2025, the team convened a full council meeting at the island council boardroom to introduce the new hatchery project, outlining its purpose, objectives, and plans. The meeting also sought agreement on the site where the project will be established. Following the meeting, a survey was conducted at the designated site, and if the results are favorable, the necessary arrangements and procurement of materials will commence immediately.

To further support milkfish farming on the island, the team delivered 3,000 milkfish fry, which were released into a council-owned pond located between Tekabuibui and Tekaman villages, as well as into a family-owned pond in Tekabuibui. In addition, the team surveyed 10 privately owned ponds in Tekabuibui and Taumwa and conducted hands-on training on milkfish feeding techniques for 12 pond owners.

The team consisted of three officers from the Aquaculture Unit under the Coastal Fisheries Division and one officer from the Quality Control Unit under MISE. Special acknowledgement is extended to PROP and the Government of Kiribati (GoK) for funding this initiative.