Written by MFOR Media on 08 April 2026.
The Kiribati Marine Spatial Planning Coordinating Committee (KMSPCC) has successfully completed the Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) for Abemama Island. Abemama is now the sixth island that the Committee has supported through village consultations, school visits, and the validation of MSP plans with the Island Council, conducted from Friday, 27th March to Tuesday, 7th April 2026.
Following consultations with community members on their visions and objectives, the consolidated MSP vision for Abemama Island was agreed as:
“A resilient, secure, and prosperous Abemama where continuous Marine Spatial Planning, strong enforcement, and informed decision-making—grounded in traditional knowledge and innovation—sustain and restore marine resources, ensure peaceful ocean use, and support equitable livelihoods and thriving blue economy opportunities for present and future generations.”
The Committee would like to acknowledge PROP and MFAT for their continuous support to Kiribati in advancing ocean planning for a sustainable future.
Written by MFOR Media on 02 April 2026.
A one-week training on The State of Blue Carbon Science, Policy and Finance was conducted last week in Singapore from the 23rd to the 27th of March 2026.
A total of six Small Island Developing States (SIDS) countries (1 from African region, 1 from Caribbean and 4 from the Pacific) including Guyana from South America and a representative from the Pacific Island Forum Secretariat (PIFS) attended the course.
This was the first ever course on Blue Carbon designed for SIDS countries offered by the Government of Singapore to assist them with the science behind the blue carbon, blue carbon policies and the existing financial mechanisms that SIDS can utilise to secure funding for their blue carbon development.
Kiribati was represented by two Officers from the Ministry of Fisheries and Ocean Resources.
Special thanks go to the Singapore Cooperation Programme and the Government of Kiribati for the support, which made this training possible.
A coordinated meeting with the technical and expertise team from Milsearch was convened on 1st April 2026. The meeting brought together representatives from MISE, KFSU, PROP, and MFOR to discuss and coordinate activities related to the inspection and assessment of unexploded ordnance (UXO), confirm technical and operational arrangements, and conduct a subsequent site survey. UXO inspection is required since the proposed laboratory site in Betio has a history of wartime use. This inspection will ensure that the site is fully cleared and safe prior to the commencement of construction. The Ministry extends its sincere appreciation to Director Eldon and the Milsearch team for their willingness to assist in the coordination of the UXO inspection and assessment. In addition, the Ministry expresses its gratitude to PROP for its continuous support in funding the STLD activities.
Written by MFOR Media on 31 March 2026.
Kanton Island stands as one of the Pacific’s last pristine and untouched destinations—a remote gem in the Phoenix Islands Protected Area, renowned for its exceptional biodiversity and unspoiled natural beauty. This isolation makes Kanton a premium location for high-end research, sustainable sports fishing, and eco-touring, offering visitors a truly untouched island experience. To preserve this unique environment, the Government is undertaking a comprehensive approach to manage recreational fishing on Kanton, led by a Sport Fishing Committee coordinated through the Ministry of Fisheries and Ocean Resources (MFOR) and the Ministry of Line and Phoenix Islands Development (MLPID). This multi-agency committee—comprising Immigration, Customs, Police, Biosecurity, and other key stakeholders—ensures all activities comply with licensing requirements and national legislation. From 18 March to 14 April 2026, a boarding party from Kiritimati is conducting border clearance and compliance monitoring for two vessels, Phoenix and Lagoon. Five licensed tourists, supported by five crew members, are participating in the activity. The tourists arrived on 28 March and will remain on Kanton for 12 days. During clearance, Fisheries inspected fishing gear to verify licence conditions. As this is a catch-and-release operation, no fish will be retained. This collaborative effort reflects the Government’s commitment to responsible, safe, and sustainable tourism, ensuring that Kanton’s pristine character endures for generations to come.
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