News

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

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Nanikai Selected as New Tanobakoa Site Under National Clean-Up Campaign

The Ministry of Fisheries and Ocean Resources (MFOR) convened a meeting today with the Nanikai Mother Community Chairman and sub‑community representatives at the Coastal Fisheries Boardroom in Ambo. During the discussion, the MFOR representative outlined the ministry’s plans and commitment to supporting the coastal clean‑up of the Nanikai shoreline under its national Coastal Clean‑up Campaign, known as TANOBAKOA.
As part of this initiative, MFOR has selected Nanikai as the newest Tanobakoa site, expressing strong interest in partnering with the Nanikai community to maintain the cleanliness of the coastal area and further expand the campaign’s reach. To strengthen this effort, the ministry also presented its plan to install a trash boom designed to prevent the accumulation of debris and seagrass along Nanikai beach. Installation is scheduled for September 2026.
In response, the Nanikai Community Chairman conveyed sincere appreciation for the ministry’s support and confirmed the community’s readiness to collaborate with MFOR under the clean‑up campaign.
Both parties agreed that the first joint coastal clean‑up of Nanikai beach will take place on Saturday, 2 May 2026.
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Sea Cucumber Stock Assessments Support Sustainable Fisheries

A team from the Coastal Fisheries Division (MFOR) successfully conducted sea cucumber stock assessments on Kiritimati, Abaiang, and Butaritari. The units involved in the assessments included the Research and Monitoring Unit (Ambo) and the Kiritimati Branch. The team spent two weeks on each island, carrying out in-water surveys using SCUBA diving, snorkeling, and shoreline walking methods.
The stock assessment forms part of the ongoing monitoring program aimed at evaluating the status of wild sea cucumber populations. Sea cucumbers are slow-moving animals, making them easy targets for harvesting and highly vulnerable to overexploitation if proper management and enforcement measures are not in place. As Kiribati has opened its sea cucumber fishery, conducting regular stock assessments is essential to determine the condition of wild stocks.
These assessments help determine whether sea cucumber populations remain healthy enough for harvesting, based on threshold levels established from species density observed during surveys. Furthermore, the results will guide fisheries managers in developing sustainable management strategies to ensure that sea cucumber species are not depleted.
The team sincerely acknowledges the communities of Kiritimati, Abaiang, and Butaritari for their cooperation and support during the surveys, and extends appreciation to the PROP Project for its financial support in implementing this program.
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MFOR Promotes Seafood Safety and Sustainability in Makin

To ensure continued support to the public, the MFOR team visited Makin Island from 19–26 April to conduct consultations with communities and schools. The mission aimed to promote and strengthen seafood safety, proper fish handling, market access and sustainability across the entire island, including Kiebu islet.
The awareness program focused on equipping the public with the necessary knowledge and skills to identify fish that are safe for consumption, apply proper hygiene practices when handling seafood, and maintain fish freshness and quality. It also emphasized the importance of protecting our marine ecosystem, including understanding marine protected areas, fish size limits, and seasonal closures.
The consultation team comprised two officers from the Seafood Verification Division and two officers from the Coastal Fisheries Division, along with the Fisheries Assistant based on the island.
We extend our sincere appreciation to the Mayor, Clerk, IEC, school principals, councillors, and the people of Makin Island for their support in making this visit successful. We also acknowledge the MFOR team behind this consultation, our colleagues, and TWP for their financial support in making this trip possible.
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MFOR Outreach Strengthens Seafood Safety in Butaritari

A team from the Ministry of Fisheries and Ocean Resources (MFOR) comprising SVD, CFD, and PDD, conducted a seafood safety and quality outreach to the community members of Butaritari Island from 19th to 29th April. The outreach program emphasized improving fish handling practices to maintain quality and freshness, strengthening understanding of cold chain management, and identifying key indicators of fish spoilage. In parallel, it introduced practical business strategies aimed at enhancing seafood marketing and meeting market access requirements.
Special acknowledgement is extended to the Mayor, Clerk, and Island Council for their invaluable support throughout the outreach program, including the community members for their active and productive engagement. Sincere appreciation is also expressed to the Tobwan Waara for its financial support toward this outreach program.
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