Written by MFOR Media on 17 March 2026.
A 3-day retreat from 26 Feb - 01 March, 2026, the has come to an end this weekend in North Tarawa, providing a focused platform for the Planning and Development Division (PDD) team and one local expert from the Coastal Fisheries Division to review the Outer Island Fish Center assessment for the nine islands. The team arrived on Thursday with a kick-start of the program that same afternoon, centered on a new agenda focused on team-building exercises. Day 2 on Friday brought constructive discussions on the Outer Island Fish Center—a Ministry project that continues to encounter a number of challenges. The review and assessment work carried out during the retreat is expected to significantly improve the status of fish centers for the benefit of outer island communities. By identifying practical solutions and strategic interventions, the initiative aims to enhance food preservation, create sustainable income-earning opportunities, and strengthen the local economy in the outer islands. The retreat also served as an avenue for team-building exercises to identify issues, reflect on what works within PDD, and explore how the division can deliver more effectively. The PDD team extends its gratitude to the PROP WB for the support in making this retreat possible, a big ko rabwa to Mr. Pita Iotin for his valuable contribution and insights on the Outer Island Fish Center, and to the PDD team for their tireless efforts in making this retreat a success.
The Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) wrapped up its meeting this week in Suva, Fiji, focusing on key topics like the review of the FFA Strategic Plan for 2026-2030 and discussions on South Pacific Albacore management. Kiribati participated actively, emphasizing the importance of sustainable revenue from tuna resources through regional collaboration. As the current Chair of the @Parties to the Nauru Agreement (PNA), Kiribati highlighted the support from the FFA Secretariat and development partners in enhancing fisheries management and capacity development. A significant part of the meeting was dedicated to exploring potential collaborations under the East New Britain Initiative (ENBi) and identifying funding needs to support its implementation at the national level. Finally, attendees expressed gratitude to the FFA for successfully organizing and funding these meetings, as well as to the Fijian government for hosting the event.
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