The Coastal Fisheries Division team from Tarawa, membered by Toaiti Vanguna, CBFM Project Officer; Nei Tou Berenato, Acting Field Enforcement Assistant; and Tabwaua Tekaiti Yee-On, Acting CBFM Project Assistant, alongside Kiritimati Sub-Division officers Bwenatu Ketu, Fisheries Officer, and Leslie Tearawabwebwe, Senior Fisheries Assistant, have successfully completed missions to Tabuaeran and Kiritimati.

From 30 September to 8 October 2026, the team worked with the Tabuaeran Island Council and the Tereitaki community to turn their call for support in the development of fisheries management plans. The team managed to complete Tereitaki’s fisheries management plan in three days and the Tabuaeran Island management plan in one day. The team also delivered enforcement training for newly appointed members of Tereitaki’s Enforcement Committee, equipping them with the knowledge and skills needed to implement and uphold the proposed management rules.

On 15 October 2026, the team travelled to Kiritimati to support interested communities in developing fisheries management plans. Following an awareness session and discussions with the Kiritimati Island Council, Banana Maiaki expressed interest in conserving and managing its milkfish ponds.

Over the following two days, the team collaborated with the Banana Maiaki community to develop a fisheries management plan to protect and conserve their Milkfish ponds for the benefit of their present and future generations.

The Coastal Fisheries Division sincerely thanks the people of Tereitaki, the Tabuaeran Island Council, and the Banana Maiaki community for their participation and valuable contributions.

The team returned to Tarawa on 23 October 2026, successfully completing both missions.

The missions were funded through the Tobwan Waara and FAO/GEF-Resilient Islands Resilient Communities Project under the Ministry of Fisheries and Ocean Resources.