News

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

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Kiribati Hands Over PNA Chair to Marshall Islands

During the 45th PNA Session in Majuro, Kiribati, through the MFOR delegation officially handed over the chairpersonship to the Republic of the Marshall Islands. Kiribati’s one-year term (2025–2026) advanced key priorities, including efforts to maximize the economic value of shared tuna resources and promote greater participation in the regional tuna value chain.
At the meeting, Kiribati introduced significant reforms to the Federated States of Micronesia Arrangement (FSMA), proposing new rules that require fishing companies to commit to domestic investment and pay higher entry fees. These measures now form part of the qualification criteria for access to the combined waters of all PNA members.
Kiribati’s active participation in the session was essential to ensuring its national priorities and needs were effectively represented in the broader governance of the PNA group.
Kiribati, through the MFOR delegation, also acknowledged the final session of Dr. Sangaalofa Clark, a Kiribati daughter and outgoing head of the PNA Office, and expressed appreciation to member Parties and staff of the PNA Office for their continued solidarity and support.
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MFOR Advances Seafood Toxicology with World Bank Support

The Ministry of Fisheries and Ocean Resources (MFOR) is moving closer to ensuring safer seafood for all. On 11 March 2026, a handover ceremony was held at the Coastal Fisheries Office in Ambo, where representatives from the World Bank and the Pacific Regional Oceanscape Program (PROP) officially handed over a laboratory vehicle, electronic equipment, and stationery items to the new Seafood Toxicology Laboratory Division (STLD). These resources will boost staff mobility and workflow efficiency as the lab moves toward full operation. Ultimately, this means that the people can be assured that threats like seafood poisoning and product contamination can now be systematically and effectively addressed by a dedicated team with the right tools. MFOR sincerely acknowledges the World Bank and PROP for their continued support to the STLD team.

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Kiribati Highlights ‘Ara Marawa 2026–2031’ Policy

Advancing Ocean Partnerships and Navigating Blue Economies was the focus of discussion held in Suva from 9–10 March. Initiated by Team Europe in partnership with Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTs), the Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner (OPOC), and regional organisations such as SPREP, SPC, FFA, and the USP, the meeting brought together partners to discuss sustainable Blue Economy initiatives and development. The meeting provided an opportunity for PICTs to learn from others who presented their future Blue Economy priorities and National Ocean Frameworks. It also informed PICTs about upcoming programmes and financing opportunities under the Team Europe Initiative.
During the meeting, three Team Europe Initiative projects were launched. The GIZ Pacific Blue Economies project, which aims to strengthen the capacity of governments, the private sector, and civil society in five Pacific countries to better plan and implement the transition to a Blue Economy. The PEUMP Phase II, which will run until 2030 and aims to support Pacific Island Countries and Timor-Leste in addressing major ocean-related challenges through education, research, training, evidence-based policy development, and technical assistance. And the third programme is a 5-year, €8 million grant from AFD’s Initiative Ocean, which will support PICTs in enhancing their regional and national capacities for the sustainable management of marine and coastal resources and ecosystems through knowledge sharing, data collection, and capacity building. Kiribati is one of the PICTs that will benefit from these three initiatives or projects.
Kiribati had the opportunity to socialize the ‘Ara Marawa 2026–2031’ policy, which is scheduled to be launched during the Kiribati Fisheries Forum to be held from 5–7 May and extend an invitation to interested partners who wish to participate in this forum.
Representing Kiribati at this meeting were the Deputy Secretary from MFOR, an official from the Meteorological Office, and the Regional Consultant. Kiribati would like to acknowledge and appreciate the support of GIZ for inviting Kiribati to participate at this important dialogue.
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Three-Day Workshop Advances MSP Monitoring and Evaluation

The Ministry of Fisheries and Ocean Resources (MFOR), through the Kiribati Marine Spatial Planning Coordinating Committee (KMSPCC), recently hosted a three-day technical mission to support the development of Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) indicators for Kiribati from Monday, 2nd March 2026 – 4th March 2026.
The workshop, delivered under the Climate and Biodiversity Smart Marine Spatial Planning Programme and supported by New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) with partners , SPC, SPREP, Clear Horizon and BMT, brought together key national stakeholders including Non-Government Organization and private sectors to contribute to the co-development of indicators that will help monitor and evaluate MSP implementation. Successful bilateral meetings with key data custodians were also successfully implemented with key stakeholders.
Key outputs included a stakeholder map for MSP monitoring and evaluation (M&E) and a draft set of nationally prioritized indicators. Another key highlight in this workshop is the inclusion of representatives from the deaf and youth community and hearing their views on the development of MSP indicators. These will support evidence-based decision-making and strengthen Kiribati’s efforts to manage its ocean resources in line with national development priorities.
We extend our sincere gratitude to MFAT, SPC, SPREP, Clear Horizon, BMT and local stakeholders for their unwavering support, valuable insights, and commitment throughout this workshop. Your contributions have been instrumental in achieving our shared goals and driving meaningful impact.
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