News

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

Written by MFOR Media on .

Communities of Ribono and Nuotaea Trained in Fisheries Management

The team from the Coastal Division comprises of two units, Community-Based Fisheries Management (Nei Tengarengare) and MCS&E; Monitoring, Compliance, Surveillances and Enforcement officers visited Abaiang island to conduct and deliver the MCS&E training for the two communities, Ribono and Nuotaea village. The training was commenced from 27th January to 29th January. This ongoing training is designed to target Nei Tengarengre Executive Committee, the designated body responsible for monitoring and implementing these management plans, the representative of these committee include, councilors, the chairperson, the village warden, an elder representative, three representative from youth, women, and men. The aim of the training to clarify the committee’s role, responsibilities, and scope of authority. It was highlighted during the session that “The management plans and legal frameworks are ineffective without proper enforcement”. Sincere appreciation is extended to the communities of Nuotaea and Ribono for their warm reception and hospitality, even their active partipation in the training and their commitment to enforce the management plan to ensure the sustainable use of resources for the present and future generation. The Ministry acknowledged with gratitude to the World Bank, through the PROP project, for their financial support, and to Australia for their unwavering partnership in making this activity possible.

  • Hits: 59

Written by MFOR Media on .

Advancing Marine Spatial Planning for Tabiteuea Meang

The Kiribati Marine Spatial Planning Coordinating Committee or KMSPCC completed its trip to Tabiteuea Meang from January 8th to January 19th 2026 to better support marine spatial planning on the island. The team carried out awareness presentation in the villages on the importance of marine spatial planning followed by data collection on activities carried out in their marine areas and mapping of important marine areas where marine resources can be found from the shoreline to the ocean. After presenting the results collated after the village consultation and a Marine Spatial Planning map for Tabiteuea Meang is created and a vision to “Continue to support Marine Spatial Planning that empower the people of Tabiteuea Meang by sustaining and conserving its marine environment through effective monitoring and enforcement, ensuring healthy marine resources that benefits the generations of today and tomorrow.”
The trip was made possible by Pacific Regional Oceanscape Program (PROP).
  • Hits: 57

Written by MFOR Media on .

Oceanic Fisheries Division Conducts IUU Fishing Awareness Training on Tamana

Two officers from the Oceanic Fisheries Division conducted a two-day training workshop on Tamana Island from 5–6 January. Key participants included the Mayor, Vice Mayor, Island Council Clerk, Fisheries Assistant, Agricultural Assistant, a Police Officer, an Environment Officer, and the Chairman of the Tamana Fishing Association.
The workshop was organized in response to previous reports from Tamana regarding fishing vessels operating too close to shore. Its primary goal was to raise awareness of the Division’s mandate in combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. It also aimed to equip the local community with practical tools to support the effective management of fisheries and marine resources.
Participants gained a better understanding of different fishing gear types by learning to identify key features, characteristics, and operational methods. A significant focus of the training was on correctly recording essential vessel information, such as the vessel name, call sign, and other identifying markings.
Acknowledgement to the NZ Tobwaan Waara project for funding this activity.
  • Hits: 64

Written by MFOR Media on .

MFOR Officers Complete Advanced Laboratory Training in New Zealand

Four officers from MFOR, within the Seafood Toxicology Laboratory Division, successfully completed a four-month capability development training at the Cawthron Institute in Nelson, New Zealand, from 7 August to 12 December 2025. The training provided hands-on experience in laboratory practices aligned with ISO/IEC 17025 standards, equipment calibration and maintenance, and the testing of chemical and microbial contaminants in water and food products, with a primary focus on seafood. During the training, the team also visited the Aquaculture Park, participated in the co-design of the container laboratory, and contributed to the co-development of the laboratory equipment list.
The knowledge and skills gained through the training will be applied to initiate laboratory operations. The training initiative is expected to integrate standardised procedures into daily workflows, implementing standard operating procedures, conducting in-house staff training, and carrying out local testing. These efforts aim to generate reliable data to support timely public health decisions, enhance national market access, and improve food safety. The Ministry expressed its sincere gratitude to the World Bank, through PROP, for their generous financial support of the training.
  • Hits: 76

More Articles …

Page 13 of 78