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.
Written by MFOR Media on 30 March 2026.
As part of KSVD’s ongoing efforts to ensure seafood export eligibility for the international markets, KSVD and GSD officers returned from Kiritimati Island on 24 March following a one-week duty trip. The trip funded by the PROP allow the team to conduct a second round of ciguatera monitoring over three days, focusing on locating key fishing grounds and reef fish species targeted for export. Additionally, inspections were successfully carried out at existing seafood establishments to promote and ensure compliance with food safety and hygiene standards required for export. The team also conducted a good hygienic practices training to the Kiritimati Solar Salt and Seaweed Company to enhance their understanding on the required export standards. Lastly, KSVD extends its sincere appreciation to the Honorable Minister Linnix for his support to the team, colleagues on Kiritimati Island for their assistance, local fishermen for their skill and expertise in successfully harvesting the required and targeted species, seafood companies for their cooperation, and PROP for its financial support.
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