The Coastal Fisheries Division has launched a public consultation on the commercial fishing and trade of sharks. The consultation was first conducted on Arorae and Nikunau Islands and has been extended to South Tarawa, covering both TUC and BTC communities.

The primary objective of the consultation is to raise public awareness of the proposed management approaches and the conditions required for shark fishing for commercial and trade purposes, and to provide an opportunity for stakeholders and community members to share their views and recommendations.

The Coastal Fisheries Division also plans to conduct consultations on other islands before finalising the consultation process and incorporating public feedback into the proposed management measures.