A team of three MFOR staff recently completed their second ciguatera monitoring visit to Abaiang Island from 1st to 8th February. The initial phase of this work was conducted in 2025 for the three main villages Tabontebiki, Ewena and Takarano. Analytical results for these sites have been shared with the Mayor,Vice Mayor, island clerk and other fishermen for their information and safety.

It is significantly important that an ongoing monitoring of these sites will be carried out to assess the level of toxicity from time to time to ensure that reef fish species harvested and distributed to local markets are safe for the public. Furthermore, during the monitoring activity there are 20 reef fish species were collected and labelled and ready to be sent to Cawthron laboratory for ciguatera testing.

MFOR team sincerely acknowledge the strong support of the Island Mayor and Clerk, the local fishermen from the selected villages, and extend their appreciation to the World Bank (WB) through the Pacific Regional Oceanscape Program (PROP) for funding this important activity.