A dedicated team from the Kiribati Marine Spatial Planning Coordinating Committee (KMSPCC), chaired and coordinated by the Ministry of Fisheries and Ocean Resources (MFOR), has successfully completed its first people-centered island-level Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) mission to Abaiang Island.

The mission, conducted from 1–10 August, marks a historic first step towards establishing the Island-level MSP process and is a key part of KMSPCC’s coordinated work to ensure that community priorities are fully integrated into the national MSP framework.

This milestone activity falls under the Pacific Regional Oceanscape Program (PROP), which supports MSP development across four pilot islands — Abaiang, Tamana, Onotoa, and Tabiteuea North — with a strong emphasis on local voices shaping marine management.

During their stay, the team met with members of the full council, undertook village consultation, carried out schools visits, collected and validated GIS data on Abaiang island, introduced marine spatial planning and hear directly from local communities on how they prefer to use, protect and conserve their marine space, including key fishing areas, cultural sites and to maintain their conservation zones.

This is a vital step toward inclusive and sustainable ocean management that reflects the voices and needs of island communities.

Are you from Abaiang? Can you think of any places of value related to fisheries, cultural and conservation of the ocean that can be included in the marine spatial planning for Abaiang? Please comment below!