Written by MFOR Media on 19 August 2025.
The PEUMP Project Steering Committee Meeting and Ocean Dialogue, which took place in Suva, Fiji, on August 5-6, 2025, was attended by three senior officers from Kiribati: Mrs Kabure Yeeting, Director of the Geoscience Division; Mrs Tooreka Teemari, Director of the Coastal Fisheries Division; and Mrs Nenenteiti Teariki, Director of the Environment and Conservation Division under the MELAD. The preservation of biodiversity and the sustainable use of fisheries and other marine resources are the primary objectives of the Pacific-European Marine Partnership (PEUMP) program, which also promotes responsible ocean and coastal governance. The purpose of the meeting is to review and discuss the progress of each implementing agency, including the Pacific Community (SPC), the Pacific Island Fisheries Forum Agency (FFA), the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Program (SPREP), and the University of the South Pacific (USP), in relation to their respective Key Result Areas of the project. The PEUMP PSC Meeting also marks the end of the project and the start of its second phase. To guarantee that the second phase of the PEUMP Programme reflects the national priorities that were identified in the previous PEUMP PSC, additional consultations will be conducted to affirm these priorities.
From July 23 to August 6, 2025, a four-member team from the MCS&E Unit, Coastal Fisheries Division (MFOR), visited Butaritari Island to deliver a 3-day enforcement refresher training for village wardens (Kaubure) and conduct 6 days of community visits focused on sea cucumber awareness. The training strengthened local capacity in enforcing community bylaws, monitoring fishing activities, and safeguarding marine resources, while the awareness program promoted sustainable harvesting practices to protect valuable species. This mission reflects MFOR’s commitment to empowering communities as stewards of their marine environment. Proudly funded and supported by the Ridge to Reef (R2R) Project.
A rich net of marine and blue foods in the islands of Kiribati provides not only sustenance but also a source of income for the individual development of families. This community custodianship of the diverae marine resources was celebrared today in Tabiteuea North by the successful launching of 5 community fisheries management plans for Kabuna, Eita, Tanaeang, Tekaman and Tekabwibwi villages. These plans empowers these designated villages to manange their marine areas and rich resources therein, under the Fisheries Act with a bottom up community governance and enforcement approach. This launching ceremony took place on the Friday, 8th August in Bwakokoia, the Island Council village; and was witnessed by the Honourable Minister of Fisheries and Ocean Resources Ribanataake Tiwau, the Honourable Tarakabu Tofinga MP of Tabiteuea North, the H.E Mark Fox, the Australian High Commissioner to Kiribati, Mayor and the MFOR team. This successful event was ended by a float and showcase of different blue foods, fishing gears and inspiring speeches by the participating villages. This historical event was made possible through the funding assistance of Australia, the World Bank PROP Project and the Government of Kiribati, through the MFOR.
From ocean safety to online security - the staff of MFOR were trained and equipped with skills in cyber hygiene as their lifejackets when they face challenges with their routine work. The goal of the 4-days training from 05-08 Aug, 2025, is to build a cyber-smart culture by equipping staff with cyber life skills. This involved the delivery of the requisite knowledge, skills and behaviours to effectively identify, prevent and respond to common cyber threats. This successful training was delivered to all middle and senior level staff of MFOR and participants of Digital Transformation Office, MICT by the FFA IT team, Cultural Cyber Security Pty Ltd in collaboration with the MFOR IT team. MFOR acknowledges FFA for the funding and the technical support provided to further the capacity of MFOR staff in the digital world we live in.
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