News

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

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Sharing Blue Pacific Solutions: Kiribati’s Aquaculture Presentation at PIOC

An officer from the Aquaculture Unit recently delivered a virtual presentation on Tuesday the 30th of September during the Pacific Islands Ocean Conference (PIOC) showcasing Kiribati’s progress in cultivating indigenous microalgae for hatchery use. The talk highlighted how locally adapted strains are being isolated and mass-cultured to provide a stable, cost-effective live-feed supply for species such as sandfish, reducing reliance on imports and strengthening hatchery resilience. The presentation also outlined practical culture conditions, lessons learned in maintaining high-density, contamination-free production, and the broader benefits for sustainable aquaculture in small island nations.
We extend our sincere thanks to the organizers, hosts, and sponsors of the Pacific Islands Ocean Conference (PIOC) for creating an inclusive platform that amplifies Pacific research and collaboration. Your support enabled our team to share outcomes, exchange knowledge with regional partners, and help advance sustainable aquaculture across our Blue Pacific.
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PNA Workshops Boost VDS Officers’ Knowledge and Industry Engagement

Two workshops were conducted at the PNA Headquarters in Majuro, Marshall Islands, from 6th to 10th October 2025.
The first, held from 6th to 8th October, focused on Industrial consultation to strengthen collaboration between PNA members and the fishing industry. It provided VDS officers with a deeper understanding of current industrial operations, including issues encountered by fishing operators. Additionally, the workshop updated industries on recent amendments to the Purse seine and Longline Vessel Day Scheme (PS & LL VDS) text as well as other requirements agreed upon during the 80th Special PNA Meeting in Tarawa in June 2025.
The second workshop, held from 9th to 10th October, focused on e-Reporting, aiming to improve catch and effort data submission to PNA FIMS.
Both workshops were significant for Kiribati, as they enhanced partnerships between PNA member countries and fishing industries, ensured fishing operations within Kiribati’s EEZs comply with PNA standards, and lastly strengthened VDS officers’ e-reporting skills.
The Ministry of Fisheries & Ocean Resources (MFOR), through Oceanic Fisheries Division (OFD), gratefully thanks PNAO for organizing and funding the workshops and also acknowledges the New Zealand government, through the Tobwaan Waara project, for supporting the participation of two additional OFD staff members in these important consultation workshops.
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New Speed Boats Empower Kiribati’s Fisheries Monitoring Efforts

Kiribati can be assured that our MCS Officers including our observer officers can now perform their duties more efficiently, safely and comfortably when they conduct their monitoring, control and surveillance duties at the fishing vessels that port in Tarawa and Kiritimati harbour for their transhipments. This responsibility is crucially important for the sustainable management of Kiribati tuna resources. Honourable Minister performed the christening and breaking of kamaimai bottles to these brand new high quality aluminium speed boats for the Government of Kiribati, through the Ministry of Fisheries and Ocean Resources (MFOR). Te motika I will be stationed in Tarawa and the Te motika II will be stationed in Kiritimati Island. The name, Te motika, is the name of one of the Kiribati ancient fishing and racing canoes. This canoe is well known for it speed and ability to catch a lot of fish. The word Te Motika in our language translates to judgement, which also aligns well with the underlying function of this boat to facilitate monitoring, control and surveillance responsibilities. These two new speed boats were blessed by Father Rataro from the Roman Catholic. This christening ceremony was attended by the Boat builder BtB from Australia, the World Bank representatives, JV companies and MFOR staff. The MFOR acknowledged the World Bank through PROP for the funding assistance provided to this boats project and the hard work of Marine Division and MFOR staff who have been involved in making this project a reality.

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Preparing for Export: CPPL Processing Plant Undergoes Pre-SQF Assessment in Kiritimati

The Seafood Verification Division team have just returned from Kiritimati Island to conduct the mock audit for the CPPL processing plant as part of the preparatory assessment prior to the Safe Quality Food (SQF) audit visit that will commence on the 8th to 9th October 2025. Since CPPL is ready to export its frozen tail lobsters to the US market mainly Honolulu therefore, this is part of the requirement that CPPL is required to comply with especially to be approved by this certification body.
Additionally, the team had the opportunity to assist other existing and new exporters on basic requirements and key documentation that are important for exporters to know and understand prior to export. This technical support conveyed through a 2 days’ workshop with companies.
The team acknowledged the unwavering support from the Secretary, and the World bank through the PROP to make this mission a successful one.
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