Collaboration across the Pacific builds monitoring, control, and surveillance capacity for Kiribati

Dockside boarding and inspection training has been delivered to Kiribati officials as a part of the Australian Government’s ongoing commitment to build monitoring, control, and surveillance (MCS) capacity in the Pacific. 

Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) officers were in-country on Kiritimati Island, Kiribati, to deliver dockside boarding and inspection training in late 2023. This training was delivered by AFMA, in partnership with New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industry (NZ MPI), and the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA).

Through sharing knowledge and skills, the training encourages and empowers Kiribati officials to conduct effective and targeted vessel inspections to enhance MCS capacity and help combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing in the region. Topics include international fisheries legislation, regional and sub-regional agreements, pre-boarding risk assessment, boarding execution and procedures, log sheet analysis, and catch quantification.

Twenty-five participants successfully completed the training, including fisheries officers, fisheries observers, and customs, immigration, police, environment, and health officers.

Kiribati is a nation of 33 atolls in the central pacific region. Waters surrounding Kiribati are rich in migratory species such as skipjack, yellowfin, and bigeye tuna.

Managing these fish stocks requires international collaboration and cooperation. AFMA works closely with its regional neighbours to sustainably manage migratory fish stocks and deter Illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing.

Increasingly, countries are working together through memberships in regional fisheries management organisations, such as the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission, to protect fish stocks that migrate or overlap multiple exclusive economic zones and the high seas.

More information:  
Media: media@afma.gov.au or 0437 869 860  
www.afma.gov.au