The official signing ceremony of Nanikaai community-based fisheries management plan. Image: © Kiribati MFMRD

Overcoming legal barriers: Advancing community-based fisheries management in Kiribati

KIRIBATI
Tuesday, August 13, 2024, 00:10 (GMT + 9)

Introduction 

In Kiribati, the official endorsement of community-based fisheries management (CBFM) plans has faced significant challenges during the programme’s inception in 2014. At that time, pilot communities were actively developing plans, yet the absence of specific legal provisions supporting the adoption of CBFM plans posed a major obstacle. Kiribati’s Fisheries Act 2010 primarily focused on offshore fisheries, neglecting coastal fisheries management, thereby complicating the conservation and management of coastal marine resources. 

Click map to enlarge

In response to this regulatory gap, efforts began in 2015 to develop targeted coastal fisheries regulations 20191 that were aimed at the conservation and management of coastal marine resources. This collaborative endeavour, spanning four years, was facilitated by legal advisors from the Pacific Community (SPC), the Attorney General’s office, and the University of Wollongong in Australia. Finally endorsed in late 2019 and operationalised in 2020, the Coastal Fisheries Regulations not only established fisheries management rules but also laid out specific requirements for legalising CBFM plans, marking a significant milestone in the journey towards sustainable fisheries management in Kiribati. 

The task of legalising a CBFM plan commenced in early 2020, with extensive assistance from SPC’s legal advisors. Given the groundbreaking nature of this work, efforts were focused on one community to undergo the legalisation process. Nanikaai Village emerged as the chosen community due to its geographical proximity to national agencies (i.e. Island Council office, Attorney General’s office, and Coastal Fisheries Division), which would facilitate efficient communication with Nanikaai community members.

Journey towards official endorsement 

Nanikaai Village is within the Teinainano (South Tarawa) Urban Council, and, is the smallest recognised ward in the area. Despite its size, Nanikaai has been actively engaged in environmental conservation efforts, particularly through initiatives such as beach clean-ups. The village’s successful implementation of various projects, ranging from health to gardening, has raised attention from multiple ministries, making it a focal point in the urban area.

The initial engagement with Nanikaai in the CBFM programme occurred in 2019 through a collaborative health project on ensuring food security with assistance from the CBFM programme. Through this engagement, Nanikaai managed to draft its community fisheries management plan. Subsequently, the Kiribati Ministry of Fisheries further reinforced Nanikaai’s engagement in CBFM efforts. Through the assistance of the CBFM project, Nanikaai Village was able to develop a draft management plan, which was later consolidated into a final plan by late 2019.

The long-term vision of Nanikaai’s CBFM plan states: “Nanikaai will lead the way in overcoming the effects of declining marine resources, ecosystem habitat degradation, and ocean acidification”. Management measures in Nanikaai’s CBFM plan include:

• a prohibition on the use of destructive fishing gear and methods;
• reinforcement of nationally established government rules;
• specific village size limits;
• mangrove and seagrass planting and protection areas; and
• and the establishment of a marine protected area (MPA) that is primarily aimed at the protection of the strawberry conch (Conomurex luhuanus; te nouo) and ark shells (Anadara spp; te bun).

With the enactment of the Coastal Fisheries Regulations 2019, the process of legalising the Nanikaai’s CBFM plan commenced in 2020. This marked the first instance of a CBFM plan to undergo legalisation, presenting unique challenges that were made easier through the assistance of SPC’s legal advisors, the University of Wollongong, and an I-Kiribati legal advisor working at SPC during that time who, through her understanding of the local context, enabled particular concerns and challenges specific to Kiribati to be addressed appropriately throughout the process.

Diplomatic corps representatives take part in the training activities. Image: ©Kiribati MFMRD

In early 2021, MFMRD started demarcating Nanikaai’s MPA with visible marker buoys, despite the endorsement of the CBFM plan still pending. These markers served not only to raise public awareness but also to solidify the boundaries of Nanikaai’s marine area for better visibility. As stated, the primary objective of the MPA is to conserve and replenish the stock of ark shells and strawberry conch. Although fishing within the MPA is restricted under Nanikaai’s CBFM plan, entry for recreation and research purposes is permitted upon obtaining an approved permit from the community, and adherence to the code of conduct outlined in the endorsed management plan.

Impacts of the MPA

Since the demarcation of the MPA, there has been a noticeable decline in fishing activity within its boundaries, thanks to greater awareness. One year on, Nanikaai residents and those from neighbouring areas on  South Tarawa and Betio are increasingly mindful of the MPA boundary. Consequently, significant positive changes were observed in the abundance of strawberry conch and ark shells.

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Community feedback and socialeconomic surveys conducted in Nanikaai supported these observations, highlighting the increase in these species. Testimonies from community members, including those from the Disability Center (Te Toa Matoa) in Nanikaai, emphasised the profound impact of the MPA. People with disabilities expressed both their surprise and satisfaction with the reduced effort in catching strawberry conch, a remarkable shift from previous years.

A statement by Mr Tabaia, a representative from Te Toa Matoa, acknowledged the strong positive effect of CBFM: “It is surprising that even a person with impaired vision can gather a lot of strawberry conchs and fill up a small cracker bucket. It is unbelievable.” Such testimonials serve as strong evidence of the extensive benefits that CBFM can generate, inspiring neighbouring communities to support Nanikaai and embark on their own fisheries management initiatives.

Milestone for the CBFM project

On 31 January 2024, Nanikaai’s village members celebrated a significant milestone as the Minister of Fisheries legally endorsed the community’s CBFM plan. This achievement, after a decade of dedicated CBFM implementation efforts, stands as a testament to the commitment and perseverance of the community and the CBFM project. Nanikaai’s success sets a precedent for other CBFM communities awaiting endorsement, creating momentum and recognition for their contributions to coastal marine resource management. The endorsement shines a new light on communities, especially Nanikaai knowing that their efforts have not gone unnoticed. With a legalised CBFM plan, Nanikaai is now empowered to enforce its fisheries management rules through its own governance structure and community-based compliance rules, but can further be supported by the Ministry of Fisheries to prosecute cases if necessary. Shifting towards decentralised fisheries management is more efficient and effective, and empowers communities to lead the way to sustainable coastal fisheries.

Nanikaai Village members and stakeholders celebrate the endorsement of their CBFM plan. Image: © Kiribati MFMRD

To mark this important milestone, the Ministry of Fisheries, in close collaboration with Nanikaai Village, worked with key stakeholders including the Teinainano Urban Council (Island Council of South Tarawa), line ministries (Environment and Conservation Division of the Ministry of Environment; Tourism Authority of Kiribati), and the private sector. Considering the need for wide awareness, the launching of Nanikaai’s CBFM plan was held over three days, culminating with the signing ceremony. The major highlight of this event was the official signing ceremony of the Nanikaai management plan, which was witnessed by the Vice President of Kiribati and representatives of the diplomatic corps. The Nanikaai management plan was signed by the Minister of Fisheries (HM Ribanataake Awira), Mayor of Teinainano Urban Council (Baraniko Baaro) and Nanikaai Village chairman (Timeon Matatia).

In his speech, the Minister of Fisheries proudly acknowledged the extensive efforts that have gone into developing and legalising the plan, tracing its origins back to the inception of the CBFM programme in Kiribati in 2014. The recognition of communities’ initiatives in fisheries management provides a reassuring pathway toward sustainable coastal fisheries, upon which the I-Kiribati people heavily depend.

Awareness raising and training

Prior to the official signing ceremony, two extra days were dedicated to awareness raising and training workshops. Social media influencers were engaged to produce a brief play showcasing Nanikaai’s management plan. The performance brought significant public attention, with over 30,000 viewers. Social media proved to be a powerful and effective method of communication, dominating social media platforms, and providing the public with valuable insights into the importance of Nanikaai’s initiatives. Other initiatives included games targeting children, a drama competition, and a beauty contest to better engage the people of Nanikaai.

Raising awareness among youth through a drama competition. Image: © Kiribati MFMRD

Training workshops were also provided to complement Nanikaai’s efforts on sustainable coastal fisheries management at the community level. The Ministry of Fisheries provided training on the maintenance of outboard motors, seaweed farming, and released sea cucumber hatchlings into the demarcated MPA. Tourism Authority Kiribati provided training sessions on tourism business fundamentals, developing eco-tourism packages, and handicraft-making using repurposed plastics and seashells; all activities that would contribute to generating additional revenue for Nanikaai’s community. The Environment and Conservation Division provided trainings to support Nanikaai manage waste.

Nanikaai community members were extremely happy and proud of the event and of the endorsement of their community efforts through the signing of their CBFM plan. As Nanikaai ventures onto a new path, the Ministry of Fisheries, along with key stakeholders, has ambitious plans to empower community members with the necessary capacity and knowledge, including training on community enforcement. This will enable Nanikaai community members to effectively implement their CBFM plan into the future.

Nanikaai Village members and stakeholders celebrate theendorsement of their CBFM plan. Image: © Kiribati MFMRD

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank members of Nanikaai’s community, members of the Friends in Nanikaai Community Executive Committee, Teinainano Urban Council, Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources Development, Ministry of Environment, Lands and Agriculture Development, and Tourism Authority Kiribati. We would like to acknowledge financial support from the Australian government under ACIAR project FIS-2020-172 to the CBFM project and financial support from Tobwan Waara – New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Authors/source: Tarateiti Uriam Timiti, Rooti Tioti, Toaiti Vanguna, Maaria Henry, Beia Nikiari, Katirube Nakabuta, Karibwa Patrick, Tooreka Teemari, Karibanang Tamuera and Aurelie Delisle/spc.int

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