Ministry of Fisheries and Ocean Resources

🌺 OFFICIAL INTRODUCTION OF MISS MFOR 2026 🌺

The Ministry of Fisheries and Ocean Resources (MFOR) is proud to officially introduce her Queen for the upcoming Miss Kiribati 2026 pageant, set to take place in July 2026.
Following an inclusive and consultative internal selection process that invited nominations from all MFOR divisions and companies, Miss Temama Toaiauea, a young woman and staff member from the Coastal Fisheries Division, was chosen unanimously.
At 24 years old, Miss Temama serves as a Senior Fisheries Assistant at the Ministry of Fisheries and Ocean Resources. She is a proud graduate of James Cook University in Australia, where she earned a Bachelor of Science majoring in Aquaculture Science and Technology.
Miss Temama’s willingness to step forward and represent MFOR, reflects her confidence, perseverance, and leadership qualities. As the Ministry’s official representative to Miss Kiribati pageant, she will proudly carry the MFOR banner, represent the fisheries community, advocate for the Ministry’s vision, and promote the services and products of its companies throughout the Miss Kiribati 2026 pageant.
The MFOR fully supports all events celebrating our 47th national independence anniversary, including the Miss Kiribati 2026 pageant, as a meaningful way to honour our sovereignty and our people’s dedication to independently serving and governing our own country.
We are confident that Miss MFOR 2026 will take part in this competition with grace, dignity, and professionalism. At the same time, she will voice our Ministry’s contributions to nation-building and champion a bold, forward-looking vision for the future of Kiribati’s fisheries sector.
Please join us in supporting and wishing Miss MFOR 2026, Miss Temama Toaiauea the best, as she prepares to represent the Ministry on the national stage. 💙🌊🐟


E kukurei te botaki n akawa n katanoata bwa ea tia n reke ana tia kabootoa nakon Te kabotikiraoi are ena karaoaki inanon Turai 2026.
Nei Temama Toaiauea, 24 ana ririki n maeu, ea tia n karekea ana beeba ae te Bachelor of Science majoring in Aquaculture Science and Technology n te kuura n reirei ae rietata i Aotiteria ae James Cook University ao bon ngaia naba temanna te tia mwakuri nte botaki n akawa n nakoana ae te Senior Fisheries Assistant are a tabe ma tararuaan Mataniwiin te aba.
E karaoaki te rinerine ibukin Miss MFOR n te kabae ara i bon irouia taan mwakuri ma ana kambwana nako te Ministry ike ea tebenako iai te ataeinaine ae Nei Temama Toaiauea
E kukurei Nei Temama man te botaki n Akawa n ira te kauaba aei are ena tei n kabwarabwarai ao man katerei iai ana kanoa ni mii ma ana Ibuobuoki nako ami tabo n mwakuri aei. Nei Miss MFOR ena kabwaekekei nako ana tieweti ao ana karaobwai ana kambwana nako te tabo n akawa.
E anga bwanaana te Botaki n Akawa ni katekeraoa Nei Miss Toaiauea kai enang tauraoi n rinnakoa tibwangana ae kakawaki aio. E anga ana boutoka te botaki n akawa ibukin bukamaruan ana ka-47 n inaomata abara ae tangiraki rinanon te kabotikiraoi n te ririki aio, ke ea kaota naba aron kakawakin rungakin abara ngkai tia kona n bon kabuta ao n kaira ara botannaomata rinanon ara tautaeka.
Tiaki ti ngaia anne, Nei Temama Toaiauea e bon tei n kaota ana kakamwakuri te botaki n akawa ibukin kateimatoan marin ara marawa nakon taai aika ana roko.
Miss Toaiauea are eaki tii kaota iai ana konabwai ma e katuruturua iai ana boutoka te Botaki n Akawa n boutokaakia ao kakorakorakia aine ma te roro ae tabe n rikirake n aia konabwai n kairiri n te tabo ni mwakuri ao n taabo nako.

MFOR Post: 88/CFD&FAO/2026

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)

A tia kabanea 3 te b**g n anga reirei te Coastal Fisheries Division MFOR with FAO ibukia aba ake a uarereke ao ake a bubura, (SVC4SIDS) (GCP/GLO/098/ROK) iaon tararuaan raoiroion konaaia taan akawa,
Aio are e waakinaki inanon 29 n Eberi nikarokoa 1 May 2026
N aia moanib**g ao a bon reiakinaki raoi aroia ibukin tararuaan irikon konaia bwa anaki uruaki ao man kawaakina inanon nenna ae mano raoi n te aro are ena kona n teimatoa raoiroin irikon konaia ao n aki kai rootaki. E kaainaki te reirei aio irouia ana rabwata nako te tautaeka, taan tei man communities aika kakaokoro, Civil Society Organisation ao rabwata riki tabeua.
N aia 2 ao 3 n b**g ao A reiakinaki ao n kaungaki aine ake a roko ao naake a tei man aia community aron rabakau tabeua iaon kamanoan ao karaoakin te tuna samosa, fish sausage, smoke tuna ao ai te tuna turkey. Ngkai bon ngaia naba teuana te anga n karekemwane ae baiti
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) are e mena iaan te UN ngaia are e kaaina nb te program aio ao n mwakuri ma bootaki n aine nako iaon Kiribati n katanoata ana kakamwakuri ma ana waaki te CSA.
Inanon te project aio ao te FAO man te Fisheries ao te Agriculture ngaia are a kabob**gai bwaai ni kabane ibukin ana waaki nako te bootaki n akawa ao kamanoan kaubwaira ae te ika

Public Awareness

The Ministry of Fisheries and Oceanic Resources maintains to remind the public of the UXO clearance as is still currently in progress. In the event that any UXO is discovered on-site, Milsearch will provide immediate safety guidance and coordinate with nearby offices. For your own safety, all members of the public are strictly requested to maintain a safe distance from the active worksite. The Ministry appreciates your cooperation and patience.

E teimatoa te Bootaki n Akawa ni kauringiia aomata ake a uaakan ni mwakuri irarikin ana aobiti te Competent Authority Betio, kai e bon teimatoa naba ni waaki te mwakuri ibukin kakaean bwain buaka ake a kona ni karekea te kanganga man te rebetaua, Milsearch ae mwakuriia ena kona n reitaki ni kauringiia te koraki ibukin mauriia ngkana iai aika kuneaki.

MFOR Post: 87/OFD/2026

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.

E roko n tokina te PNA Technical Compliance Workshop are e karaoaki man 18-22nd May i Brisbane. E iraki te workshop aio irouia uoman ana aobitia te Oceanic Fisheries Division. E boboto te workshop iaan katiaan te riiboti ae aranaki ba te 2025 Draft Summary Compliance Report (dSCR). Te dSCR, bon te riibooti iaoia kaibuke n akawa mai itinaniku ake aki irii nanon ana kainibaire te PNA.
Kakawakin te workshop aio nakon Kiribati, e bon anga reirei ao ni ibuobuoki iaon rinanoan ao katiaan babaire iaon taian kaibuke n akawa ake a ribootinaki n aki irii nanon taian tua inanon ana marawa nako te PNA. Te workshop aio e bon kakorakora naba te aro n reitaki imarenaia members ao e ibuobuoki naba nakon kamatoaan ao irakin nanon taian kainibaire iaan te PNA ake ana riai ni iraki ao ni kakoroaki nanoia irouia kaibuke n akawa mai itinaniku ao te PNA members.
E rabwa te PNA Office n ana boutoka ibukin mwanenakin ao barongan te workshop aio.

Post: 86/OFD & CSD/2026

Cooperation between Fiji and Kiribati is making strides as the Honourable Minister Ribanataake Tiwau paved a visit to the Fiji Ministry of Fisheries new Surveillance Center in Walu Bay, Suva. The center manages fisheries vessels' port entries, boarding certifications, inspection, monitoring of illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, compliance by fiji flagged vessels, electronic monitoring and many more - using a suite of state of the art online platforms. Thanks to the Honourable Minister Alitia Bainivalu and her team for Fiji's strong leadership in this space.

Te ikarekebai imarenan Biiti ao Kiribati iaon te akawa, e a tamwarakea te tamaroa ngke e roko ana tiim te Minita Ribanataake Tiwau ma ana tiim n neweaba aia tabo te bootaki n akawa Biiti n tutuoi mwaingingiia kaibuke ake akawa n aia marawa. Te tienta aio e kab**ganai rabakau aika boou ao n kabebetei aron rinakoia kaibuke n akawa n ana matabaiawa Biita, katawean beeba ao tutuo ao ai bon tatarakin akawa bwa na ira te tua ao aki kamangao. Te kaitau nakon Te Minita Alitia Bainivalu ma ana tiim n butimwaean te neweaba aio ao aia mwakuri ae moan te tamaroa ao n boongana naba nakon Kiribati.

Post: 85/CFD & CSD/2026

The implementation of the Fiji-Kiribati MoU on aquaculture cooperation begins with the tour to the Fiji Ministry of Fisheries Hatchery in Galoa.

E a waakinaki mwakurian te boraraoi are tia n tiainaaki imarenan Biiti ao Kiribati iaon te kabwebwe ika/kereboki ma neweabaan aia tabo n kabwebwe kaain Biiti n kawana ae Galoa.

MFOR Post: 84/CFD&CSD/2026

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.

Kiribati ao Biiti, a mwakena aia boraraoi iaon te kabwebwe ika/kereboki ao te akawa, rinanon tiainaakin aia beeba n reitaki are karaoaki n te b**g ae te Katenib**g, 20 Meei 2026 iaon Suva, Biiti. Inanon tain te tiaana, ao e katerera te Minita nte bootaki n akawa mai Biiti ae Honourable Minister Alitia Bainivalu bwa bwaintangiraan kereboki ibukin te kabwebwe nakon Kiribati, bon kaotan aia boutoka ibukin kateimatoaan marurungin marawa ao buokaia raoia n Tebetebeke inanon ara marawa ika bubura. Te Minita nte bootaki n akawa, Honourable Minister Ribanataake Tiwau, e kaoka ana kakaitau nakon te Minita mai Biiti, ibukin aia kairiiri ae tamaroa n butimwaean te bubuti n kaai n reitaki, ao n kamatoa ana boutoka naba nakon Biitii ibukin kainanoan tibwaakin te rabakau iaon te kabwebwe kereboki/ika ao ai bon iaon te boraraoi iaon akawaan ika ni marawa ibukin aia karikirake kaain Biiti.
Te kantaninga i nuukan te boraraoi aio bon iangoan karikirakean maeuraoia ara bootanaomata – Biiti ao Kiribati.
E taorimwiiaki te katiaina aio ma te baka n amwarake are karaoia te Minita Ribanataake Tiwau ibukin nakoraoi te reitaki ae tamaroa aio, are reke man ana kairiiri ana kauatabo ni Minita ae Minita Alitica Bainivalu ao kaain ana bootaki ni mwakuri. E kakouaaki naba te mwaneka ae boou aio n rokoia ana Taan Tei Kiribati ae Honourable Moannata Ietaake mai Marakei ao Honourable Choy Freddy mai Betio, kaain ana High Commission Kiribati nakon Biiti ao ai bon ara tia bwaibwai temanna n ara kambwana Kiribati ae Golden Ocean Limited. E kanakoa ana kakaitau te bootaki n akawa nakon Te Minita Bainivalu, kaain ana tabo n mwakuri ao ai bon Golden Ocean Limited ibukin kakoroan nanon te moan bobou n boraraoi iaon te kabwebwe ika/kereboki ao te akawa.

MFOR Post: 83/CFD/2026

Successful field mission by the CBFM team – Nei Tengarengare

The CBFM team, Nei tenagrengare, has successfully completed a vital field mission to Butaritari. During this trip from 06/05/26 to 13/05/26, the team reviewed 11 fisheries management plans across Butaritari villages: Kuuma, Keuea, Tanimaiaki, Tabonuea, Antakana, Tabukin Meang, Temwanokunuea, Onomwaru, Ukiangang Maiaki, Ukiangang Meang and Bikaati. These plans will be officially recognized under the Fisheries Regulations for empowering communities and giving villages the authority and right to enforce their own rules and management measures. This means communities can take ownership of their fisheries, strengthen local governance, and ensure sustainable use of our ocean resources. Therefore, these plans are more than just documents – they are a blueprint for sustainable marine resources management, ensuring the livelihoods of Butaritari communities today and safeguarding them for future generations.

A huge thank you to all the villagers and partners who contributed their time, knowledge, effort and passion to make this mission a success. We also show gratitude towards those who have contributed to funding this trip including R2R and ACIAR, together we are taking strong steps towards marine conservation and community resilience.

E a tia ni mwnanga ana tiim Nei Tengarengare ni karaoa tibwangana iaon te abamwakoro ae Butaritari. E waakina karaoan ana mwakuri inanon kaawa ao bon rinanon te kauntira ni moa man 06/05/26 nikarokoa 13/05/26 ibukin te ikarekebai ma kain kaawa iaon karaoan aia kainibaire ibukin taubeakinan aia mari mai taari. Ngkai ao a tei rabwatan aia kainibaire kaawa aika Kuuma, Keuea, Tanimaiaki, Tabonuea, Antakana, Tabukin Meang, Temwanokunuea, Onomwaru, Ukiangang Maiaki, Ukiangang Meang ao Bikaati. Kainibaire aikai are ana manga kabwataki iaan ana tua te botaki n akawa bwa ana kinaki iaan te tua n te aro are a kona n reke te mwaka ni karekereke ao ni katua irouia kaawa aikai nakoia naake a urua tuan aia kainibaire. Are nanona bwa kainibaire aikai, tiaki ti taian moti ni bebwa ma ai bon boutokaia naba kaawa aikai rinanon aia kakamwakuri ae kakawaki ibukin katanan, kamanoan ao tararuan marin aia kaawa mai taari, ibukin karikirakeaia ao kateimatoaia inanon roro ma roro.

Ai bon te bwana ni karabwarabwa nakoimi nikabane ake kam a tia n anga ami ibuobuoki, rabakaumi ao ai bon ami boutoka ibukin kakoroan nanon aio. Ti anga naba ara kakaitau nakoia rabwata are a tia n anga naba aia buoka ni mwanenan te mwanaga ao te mwakuri aio n aron te R2R ao te ACIAR. Tia uaia n ikarekebai ni kerake nakon te mwaneka n tararua ibukin kateimatoan ao taubeakinan marin ara marawa ao maiuraoia te botanaomata.

MFOR Post: 82/CSD/2026

Following the official signing ceremony and launch of the Marina Infrastructure Project in 2025, the Ministry of Fisheries and Ocean Resources (MFOR) welcomed a mission team from China Ocean Engineering Survey and Design Co. Ltd (COESD) to Kiribati from May 6-14, 2026 to commence work on the feasibility study for the proposed marina infrastructure at the Ananau Causeway. COESD is one of China’s companies specialized in the survey, design, and construction of ports and other infrastructure projects who was awarded the tender to conduct this study. The team was led by their General manager, Mr Wang Yuanhong and his three team members, Mr Zhao Changpend, Ms Yu Ganyu and Mr Li Jiahao. During the one-week mission, the COESD team met with some government ministries including the Tourism office and KPA to discuss the proposed development and collect information relevant to the study. On the final day of the mission, the COESD team met with MFOR Hon. Minister, Ribanataake Tiwau, and MFOR staff to present the project concept proposal, share the outcomes of their consultation, and discuss the next steps. HM Tiwau highlighted MFOR’s anticipation for the successful completion of the feasibility study, which is expected by October 2026, and strongly emphasized that this project will bring economic benefits and opportunities in future.
This initiative stems from bilateral discussions between the Government of Kiribati, through MFOR, and Korea fishing companies through Korea Overseas Fisheries Association (KOFA), which aims to support a small-scale marina infrastructure investment project for fishing communities in Kiribati. The feasibility study for this marina infrastructure was financially supported by the KOFA.

Imwin katabwenan ao tiainakin te boraraoi are karaoaki n 2025 iaon te karikirake ae karaoan te tabo n roro ibukia booti n akawa aika a uarereke nte Ananau causeway, ao a butimwaeaki kain teuana te tiim mai Tiaina ae China Ocean Engineering Survey and Design Co Ltd (COESD) ake ana karaoa te kamatebwai iaon te karikirake aio iroun te Botaki n Akawa (MFOR). COESD bon teuana maibuakoia kambwana iaon Tiaina ae iai rabakauna nte kamatebwai ao katean uaabu ma taabo n roro (Port). E kairaki te tiim aio iroun aia manatia ae Mr Wang Yuanhong ao n raonaki irouia kain ana tiim aika Mr Zhao Changpend, Ms Yu Ganyu ao Mr Li Jiahao. A kabanea teuana aia wiiki, man 6-14 May ao inanon tikuia i Tarawa ao e reke aia tai ni kawari ana tabo ni makuri te tautaeka tabeua ao kambwana n aron Tourism ao te KPA ni kabarabara kakawakin te karikirake aio ao n rikoi naba tabeua rongorongo ake ana kona ni buoka aia makuri ni kamatebwai.
N aia maroro kain te tiim aio ma te Minita nte Botaki n Akawa Hon. Ribantaake Tiwau ao taan makuri n te MFOR ao a kaotii iango ni katamaroa ake a tabekaki man taabo ni makuri ake a tia ni kawarii, a kaota naba tamnein (design) te tabo n roro aio (marina) ao aia makuri ake ana karaoi mai imwin rokoia aio. N ana maroro ni kakaitau te Minita ao e kaota ana kakariaria ana tabo ni makuri nakon tian te makuri ni kamatebwai ae aongkoa ena tauraoi inanon October te ririki aio, 2026. E mwaneweia naba te Minita ae te karikirake aio ena kona ni karekei mabiao nakoia kain Kiribati n taai aika a na roko.

Te karikirake aio e rio iangoakina mai mwin ana maroro te Botaki n akawa ao ana itoman aika taan akawa mai Korea rinanon te rabwata ae te Korea Overseas Fisheries Association (KOFA) ibukin boutokakia ao karakaan riki te mwengaraoi nakoia taan akawa iaon Kiribati. E boutokaki ao mwanenaki te makuri ni kamatebwai aio man te rabwata ae te KOFA.

MFOR Post: 81/OFD&CSD/2026

The 142nd session of the Forum Fisheries Committee (FFC) was held in Wellington, New Zealand, from May 11–15, 2026. Kiribati was represented by the Secretary, the Director of the Oceanic Fisheries Division, and the Senior Compliance Officer of the Ministry of Fisheries and Ocean Resources (MFOR). MFOR’s participation in this annual FFC session is essential for voicing Kiribati’s priorities in the arrangements and decisions of this key regional organization governing tuna fisheries. Kiribati contributed to ongoing reform policies led by the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) Secretariat, provided input into the new FFA Strategic Plan, requested an assessment of the current Pacific Islands–U.S. treaty, and advocated for a nationalized approach to tuna value chain processes and related investments, among other issues. Several of these critical discussions will be advanced to the FFC Ministerial meeting later in June, also in Wellington, NZ, for further deliberation and collective decision-making.
MFOR acknowledges the FFA Secretariat for its continued support to Kiribati in this area and extends its appreciation for the funding assistance that enabled the participation of Kiribati and the wider FFA membership in these regional discussions.

E karaoaki ana katebubua abwi ma uoua ana boowi te rabwata ae te Forum Fisheries Committee iaon Wellington, New Zealand man 11 nakon 15 nte namakaina ae Meei nte ririki 2026. E iraki te boowi aio iroun Tia Koroboki, Tarekita ao ana aobitia te bootaki n akawa. E kakawaki irakin te boowi aio iroun te bootaki n akawa, bwa e kaotii iai bwanaan Kiribati nakon kainibaire ao babaire ake na maroroakinaki ao n kabwaataki rinanon te rabwata ae te FFA. Inanon tain te boowi aio, ao tabeki ana katamaroa Kiribati nakon katamaroaan kabutan te rabwata ae te FFA, iango ake irekereke ma kainanon Kiribati inanon ana kainibaire te FFA ae boou, kainanoan rinanoan raoi ana boraraoi te rabwata ae FFA ma te US, kakorakoraan riki te boutoka nakon karikirakean te kabwaia man akawaan, mwakurian ao iokinibwaian te ika ni marawa, ao a bati riki. Angiin marooro aikai, ana manga uotakirakeaki nakon aia boowi Minita nte rabwata aio ae te FFC are na karaoaki inanon rabanen Tuun nte ririki aio, i bon aon naba Wellington, New Zealand, ibukin kamatoaan babaire ake na bwainaki.

E anga ana kakaitau te bootaki n akawa nakon te FFA Secretariat ibukin aia teimatoa n ibuobuoki nakon te bootaki n akawa i Kiribati, ao ibukin karekean te mwane n buoka ibukiia ana aobitia kaain Te Betebeteke ake a kaaina te FFA, ao ai bon Kiribati.