News

Kiribati fisheries officials participated in the pre-Management Options Consultation (MOC) meetings, MOC meeting and the 140th Forum Fisheries Committee Meeting (FFC140) held in Honiara, Solomon Islands, from 20–31 October 2025. The meetings assembled representatives of the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) to deliberate and consolidate their position before the upcoming meeting of the 22nd Western Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC22) in Manila in December 2025.

High on the agenda during this year’s MOC meeting is the agreement on the South Pacific Albacore Management Procedure (SPA MP) – one of the important tuna species for certain FFA members including Kiribati – to be tabled at the WCPFC22. This is to ensure the development of long-term management plans and sustained economic benefits from this particular tuna species. Kiribati's participation in these meetings underscores its commitment to the Secretariat's work in managing our shared tuna resources vital for our present and future development aspirations.

The Ministry of Fisheries and Ocean Resources (MFOR) is delighted to announce the successful nomination of Mr. Joseph Teuea Toatu, one of our Senior Fisheries Officers from the Coastal Fisheries Division, to participate in the regional internship program with SPC Fisheries, Aquaculture and Marine Ecosystems (FAME). This internship award will allow Mr Joseph to work and based in Noumea, New Caledonia starting from the Monday, 27 October 2025 until the end of his one year tenure on 30 September 2026.

During Mr Joseph Teuea’s placement with the SPC FAME in Noumea, he will focus on supporting the SPC Advisers on, among others, advancing compliance matters with coastal fisheries, provide legal and technical support on coastal fisheries and aquaculture, involve in designing the training and awareness materials, develop standards and operational tools for MCS officers supporting MCS work across the members of the SPC, including Kiribati.

The MFOR strongly believes that the engagement of our Senior Fisheries Officers will benefit our team and Kiribati in the future, as the Officer will gain more experience, insights and knowledge across the Pacific Island region, with practical solutions mentored by the SPC Advisers. There is no doubt that more and swift cross-learning between our team and SPC FAME through Mr Joseph Teuea, will contribute to improving our national MCS and capacities at MFOR.

The MFOR congratulated Mr Joseph Teuea Toatu for his successful internship award and wish him the best during his time in Noumea. The MFOR also acknowledged the SPC FAME Executives and team for their selection, not forgetting the development partners involved in providing financial support for this excellent internship program for their members.