News

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

SPC and MFOR Collaborate on Geoscience and Oceanography Priorities

The team from SPC comprised of Herve Damlamian – Team Leader Oceanography and Gary Lee – Geoscience Adviser visited Kiribati from 23 to 26 June to conduct consultations with stakeholders on geoscience, aggregates and oceanography needs and challenges. This a response to request from MFOR Geoscience Division team to collaborate with them on these needs. Secretary Riibeta Abeta and the Geoscience team met the SPC Delegation for a debriefing and finding the way forward to actioning some of the proposed solutions, ideas for future projects and way forward. The MFOR acknowledged SPC for the continuous support to Kiribati on these scientific and technical needs.

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Catch Monitoring and CBFM Planning Advance in Tabiteuea Meang

The CBFM team has recently returned from Tabiteuea Meang after a successful field mission from 23 May to 17 June 2025. The purpose of the trip was to work closely with the communities of Tekabwibwi, Tekaman, and Kabuna in preparation for the upcoming endorsement of their Community-Based Fisheries Management (CBFM) Plans. During the mission, the team also visited Tanaeang and Eita to review the fisheries components of their existing plans and support their interest in developing Marine Protected Areas (MPAs).
In addition, a catch monitoring survey was conducted in Kabuna as part of a study that will support both the community and the Coastal Fisheries Division in strengthening fisheries management activities on the island. We sincerely thank these communities for their continuous support for the CBFM programme on Tabiteuea Meang, the Pacific Regional Oceanscape Program (PROP) for funding this mission, and the Australian Government through ACIAR for their continuous support of CBFM efforts in Kiribati.
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South Tarawa Pilots High-Tech Fish Vending Units for Local Fishermen

The fate of local artisanal fishermen and their markets alongside the road on South Tarawa will be transformed through the introduction of new state of the art fish vendor units that fitted with refrigerated freshness displays, solar lights, standby power banks, drainage systems and a comfortable mini-containerized unit. These 5 new fish vendor units were launched today, 26th June 2025, at the TUC Teaoraereke with the selected groups of 8 local fishermen owners from Teaoraereke village. These 8 selected will pilot the operation of these new fish vendor units, in close collaboration with TUC council and the Competent Authority team from the Ministry of Fisheries and Ocean Resources. Secretary Riibeta Abeta in his launching remarks; congratulated TUC Mayor and the new owners of these fish vendors for being the pioneers of this project. These vendor units will showcase the new way of selling hygienic and high-quality local fish products in South Tarawa. These units were also blessed spiritually by Father Mataio from the the catholic church for the new users. As a pilot project, each fish vendor unit costs around AUD$6,000 which comes with a full set of refrigerant freshness display, solar panel for solar lights, power bank and a cooler to store the fish catch stock. The MFOR acknowledged the European Union through the EU Sector Support Project for the financial assistance injected to this project, as well as the assistance of suppliers from China and local contractors involved in making this ground-breaking project a reality. 

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MFOR Inaugurates New Coastal Fisheries Office as 100-Day Milestone

On Saturday 21 June 2025, the Ministry of Fisheries and Ocean Resources (MFOR) marked a significant milestone with the official opening of the new Coastal Fisheries Division (CFD) prefab office in Ambo. The event was part of MFOR’s 100 Days Priority Plan, which concludes on 26 June, and was attended by representatives from the New Zealand High Commission, the Governments of Australia and China, members of Parliament, and MFOR staff. The new building was blessed by Vica General Father Kanoua Iotebwa of the Catholic Church, marking a spiritual beginning for its use. In his remarks, Hon. Minister Ribanataake Tiwau echoed the words of author Sheryl Sandberg: “Done is better than perfect,” emphasizing the importance of action and delivery. MFOR sincerely thanks the Government of New Zealand, China, the contractors, our dedicated staff, and all stakeholders for their support throughout the building process.

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