News

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

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KMSPCC Members Complete Scuba Dive Training

The Kiribati Marine Spatial Planning Coordinating Committee (KMSPCC) has successfully completed nearly two weeks of Open Water Scuba Dive training with selected committee members from key government ministries and divisions. 

The training program began with theoretical sessions on dive knowledge and safety procedures, followed by practical in-water exercises and assessments. Through the successful completion of this training, committee members have strengthened their technical capacity in open water dive operations, underwater observation, and marine data collection. 

These newly developed skills as certified Open Water Scuba Divers are highly important in supporting Marine Spatial Planning implementation in Kiribati, particularly in marine monitoring, environmental assessments, resource management, and ecosystem conservation. The training will further enhance the committee’s ability to conduct field-based monitoring activities that contribute towards protecting and sustaining Kiribati’s marine resources for current and future generations. 

Participating committee members included: 

• 2 representatives from the Marine Division within the Ministry of Information, Communication and Transport (MD-MICT) 

• 1 representative from the Tourism Authority of Kiribati within the Ministry of Tourism, Commerce and Industry Cooperatives (TAK-MTCIC) 

• 1 representative from the Environment and Conservation Division within the Ministry of Environment, Lands and Agricultural Development (ECD-MELAD) 

• 1 representative from the Media Division within the Ministry of Fisheries and Ocean Resources (MD-MFOR) 

• 1 representative from the Geoscience Division within the Ministry of Fisheries and Ocean Resources (GSD-MFOR) 

• 2 representatives from the Marine Spatial Planning Project within the Ministry of Fisheries and Ocean Resources (GSD-MFOR) 

The Committee expresses its sincere gratitude to MFAT for financially supporting this important and intensive capacity-building initiative and for recognizing the importance of strengthening local technical expertise to support the implementation of ocean-related frameworks and sustainable marine resource management in Kiribati. 

The Committee also acknowledges the valuable support provided by the PADI Instructor and Dive Masters from Kiribati, on behalf of the PADI community, for their dedication and guidance throughout the training. 

Finally, the Committee extends its appreciation to the Secretariat of the KMSPCC for the in-kind support and resource assistance provided to ensure the successful delivery of the training program. 

Sincere thanks to MFAT and MSP for empowering capacity-building and supporting sustainable marine stewardship.

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MFOR and FAO Strengthen Tuna Processing Skills

Coastal Fisheries Division MFOR with FAO “Sustainable Fish Value Chains for Small Island Developing States (SVC4SIDS) (GCP/GLO/098/ROK) conducted a three-day presentation and training on fish handling and tuna processing from 29 April to 1 May 2026. Day 1 focused on best practices in fish handling, highlighting the importance of hygiene, proper storage, and maintaining product quality from catch through to preparation. The session brought together participants from key government ministries, development partners, civil society organisations, and other relevant stakeholders.
Days 2 and 3 were dedicated to practical fish processing techniques, where participants were guided through the preparation of value-added products such as tuna samosa, fish sausage, smoked tuna, and tuna jerky. These hands-on sessions strengthened participants’ skills in processing, preservation, and packaging, supporting both household-level use and potential small-scale business development, particularly among women’s groups and community representatives.
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) under the UN joint programme (UNJPSAP009UNJ) is working with women organizations in Kiribati to deliver CSA activities. FAO considers fisheries as agriculture as well, so under this project, we implement crops, livestock, and fisheries activities (fish processing)
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Kiribati Officers Complete PNA Compliance Workshop

Two Oceanic Fisheries Officers successfully concluded their participation in the PNA Technical Compliance Workshop, held from 18–22 May 2026 in Brisbane. The workshop focused on finalizing the 2025 Draft Summary Compliance Report (dSCR), a key document that provides an overview of vessel compliance within PNA waters.
The workshop provided a valuable opportunity for Kiribati compliance officers to strengthen their understanding of PNA compliance processes, improve the management and review of PNA Compliance Case Register (PCCR) cases, and enhance collaboration among Parties. It also supported Kiribati and other PNA members in addressing outstanding observer statements and factual responses, while promoting the consistent implementation of PNA obligations at the national level. These outcomes contributed to the completion of the 2025 dSCR and strengthened regional cooperation on fisheries compliance matters.
Kiribati extends its sincere appreciation to the PNA Office for organizing and facilitating this important regional workshop.
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Kiribati and Fiji Strengthen Fisheries Cooperation

The Republic of Kiribati and the Republic of Fiji marked the beginning of a more productive partnership on aquaculture and fisheries with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on aquaculture cooperation, today 20th May 2026, in Suva, Fiji. During the signing ceremony, the Honourable Minister Alitia Bainivalu highlighted that Fiji’s provision of high-value sea cucumber species to Kiribati reflects the nation’s regional commitment to a clean and resilient ocean, as well as supporting families across the Blue Pacific Continent. In response, the Honourable Minister Ribanataake Tiwau acknowledged Fiji’s leadership and support for this aquaculture cooperation. He pledged Kiribati’s steadfast commitment to facilitating learning exchanges in commercial aquaculture farming and tuna fisheries to benefit Fiji’s industries.
At the heart of this partnership are the people of Fiji and the people of Kiribati.
This inaugural bilateral cooperation was later celebrated with a dinner reception hosted by the Honourable Minister Ribanataake Tiwau in honor of this successful cooperation and the strong leadership of Honourable Minister Alitia Bainivalu and her delegation. The event was also attended by the Honourable Moannata Ietaake (Member of Parliament for Marakei) and the Honourable Choy Freddy (Member of Parliament for Betio), along with representatives from the Kiribati High Commission and Golden Ocean Limited. The Ministry of Fisheries and Ocean Resources (MFOR) extended its sincere appreciation to the Honourable Minister Bainivalu and her team from the Fiji Ministry of Fisheries, as well as to Golden Ocean Limited, for making this new era of Fiji-Kiribati cooperation on fisheries possible.
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