News

News updates from the Kiribati Ministry of Fisheries and Ocean Resources.

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KMSPCC Members Successfully Complete RPAS 102 Drone Pilot Certification Training

Drone Trust, an approved training organisation representative, Mr.Salmen Chand, has successfully completed drone training for relevant KMSPCC committee members. A total of 15 members have completed both the theoretical training and practical assessment, qualifying them as competent drone pilots. The members include: 

 

- 1 representative from Land Management Division for Ministry of Environment, Land and Agriculture Development (LMD-MELAD) 

- 2 representatives from Environment Conservation Division for Ministry of Environment, Land and Agriculture Development (ECD-MELAD) 

- 1 representative from Tourism Authority of Kiribati for Ministry of Tourism, Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives (TAK-MTCIC) 

- 1 representative from Culture and Museum Division for Ministry of Culture and Internal Affairs (CMD-MCIA) 

- 1 representative from Offshore Division for Ministry of Fisheries and Ocean Resources (OFD-MFOR) 

- 1 representative from Community Based Fisheries Management unit in Coastal Fisheries Division for MFOR (CBFM/CFD-MFOR) 

- 1 representative from Monitoring, Control and Surveillance unit in Coastal Fisheries Division for MFOR (MCS/CFD-MFOR) 

- 2 representatives from Geoscience Division for Ministry of Fisheries and Ocean Resources (GSD-MFOR) 

- 2 representatives from Research and Monitoring Unit (RMU) in Coastal Fisheries Division for MFOR (CFD-MFOR) 

- 3 representatives from Phoenix Island Marine Spatial Planning project within GSD-MFOR 

The Committee and the training organisation also acknowledge and appreciate the continued support from the Civil Aviation Authority of Kiribati (CAAK) for their guidance on national laws in this regard, particularly in reinforcing the importance of prioritising public safety at all times during operations. 

With this certification (RPAS 102), members now have the capacity and skills to collect data more efficiently and capture high-quality, up-to-date aerial imagery to support more accurate decision-making for sustainable ocean management. 

 

The KMSPCC Secretariat extends its sincere appreciation to MFAT for making this 2 weeks training possible, further strengthening collaboration and enhancing the Committee’s overall capacity in this area. 

 

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Nanikaai Beach Clean-Up Initiative

On the Saturday, 02 May 2026; the communities of Nanikaai and staff of MFOR joined forces to transform their waste-proliferared beach into a clean and appealing coastal environment. This effort marks the first time, MFOR and Nanikaai communites come together to declare this newest Tanobakoa site and put a vision into reality. MFOR, with Nanikaai communities, are committed to consistently maintain the clealiness of Nanikaai beach, a vicinity to the administration center, Bairiki of Kiribati. MFOR and Nanikaai communities would like to send out a clear message to the public; PLEASE STOP TRASHING YOUR HOME. CONTAIN YOUR RUBBISH and Let's help clean Tarawa and our Kiribati.
MFOR acknowledge the EU for providing funding assistance to this Tanobakoa initiative.
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World Tuna Day 2026 in Kiribati

Honouring World Tuna Day 2026
A Message from the Hon. Minister Ribanataake Tiwau and the Team at the Ministry of Fisheries and Ocean Resources (MFOR)
Warm greetings to you all on this day, 2nd May 2026.
Today marks World Tuna Day – a global occasion dedicated to recognizing the vital role tuna plays in biodiversity, food security, and economic development worldwide.
For Kiribati, tuna is more than a resource. It is our daily bread and butter. It shapes who we are. It is our strength, and it is our future.
Each year, MFOR mobilizes large-scale events throughout the month of May to honor the deep significance of tuna to our nation. This year, we have organized several key initiatives to celebrate World Tuna Day 2026, as outlined below:
1. Te Wa Forum with Partners – A high-level gathering to discuss the future development of Kiribati's tuna industry.
2. Naming of Closed-Door Bilateral Meeting Rooms – In honour of tuna's importance, our bilateral meeting rooms will be known as the Bigeye Room, the Yellowfin Room, and the Skipjack Room. Within these rooms, critical decisions and commitments will be made to shape the future of Kiribati's tuna fisheries.
3. Special May Fishing Competition – Organized and sponsored in partnership with the Kiribati Sports Fishing Club, this competition honors both World Tuna Day and Te Wa Forum.
4. Landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with SPC and Technical Partners – Kiribati is proud to be the first Pacific Island Country to sign this MoU, launching a new US$156.8 million Regional Project funded by the Green Climate Fund. The project, "Adapting Tuna-Dependent Pacific Island Communities and Economies to Climate Change," begins implementation in May 2026. This expedited achievement and start date of our implementation was carefully engineered by the MFOR team as a dedicated gift for World Tuna Day 2026.
5. Lastly, MFOR will erect a large Tuna Sculpture at Tanobakoa site, Ananau causeway for the public to enjoy from next week.
Our sincere thanks go out to all our communities and partners for your continued and invaluable support to MFOR.
Happy World Tuna Day, everyone.
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Nonouti Fish Centre Upgrade and Hatchery MOU Finalised

Nonouti Fish Centre and Mini-Hatchery project Mission, ( 23 March – 23 April 2026 ) The MFOR team, comprising representatives from Coastal Fisheries Division and Planning and Development Division, convened a meeting with Nonouti full council on 20th April 2026 to review the findings of the fish centre assessment conducted in October 2025 and finalise the Mini-Hatchery Project Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
During this meeting, the Planning Division representative outlined key challenges identified in the fish centre assessment report, including issues related to the facility’s physical condition, equipment, and overall operations. Through constructive dialogue, both parties agreed that the recommended solutions—along with other raised concerns—will be incorporated in the Fish Centre Upgrading MOU, which is scheduled for review and discussion in May–June 2026.
The success of the clam spawning trial was also acknowledged, which produced over 5,000 seedlings. This trial was led by a local technical advisor (TA) engaged to implement the hatchery management training protocols for island trainees.
The meeting concluded with a tour of the hatchery facility, where the Mayor and all council members had the opportunity to observe the various components of the facility. This was followed by the signing of the hatchery MOU. The Ministry of Fisheries expresses its gratitude to the European Union (EU) for the funding support provided for these activities under the EU Sector Support Programme.
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