A team of three staff from the Ministry of Fisheries and Ocean Resources is currently on Makin Island conducting ciguatera fish sampling, following the successful completion of similar activities in Kuria, Maiana, and Abaiang. Alongside this, heavy metal fish sampling is also being undertaken to gather vital data on the island’s marine pollution levels.

While Makin Island is rich in marine resources, its history of ciguatera outbreaks in certain fishing grounds has become a growing concern for the community regarding seafood safety. Therefore, the team work in collaboration with the island council, the community from Kiebu Islet, and local fishermen, to understand valuable information of the Island's fishing areas and known ciguatera sites. This significantly assisted in fish sampling from key fishing grounds, primarily on Kiebu Islet, Onne Islet, and Makin’s main island.

These sampling sites were mapped to distinguish known ciguatera-affected areas from non-ciguatera areas, with final classification based on laboratory analysis. As the samples will be sent to the Cawthron Laboratory in New Zealand to obtain raw data on ciguatera and marine pollution in Makin Island. Informing future mitigation and management strategies of this major alarming concerns on seafood hazard.

The Ministry sincerely thanks the island council, fishermen, and the community from Kiebu Islet for their kind cooperation and support, and acknowledges the World Bank, through the PROP programme, for funding this relevant activity.'