Kiribati is
composed of coral atolls on a submerged volcanic chain scattered
across 5.2 million sq. km (2 million sq. miles) of the Central
Pacific. 33 coral islands that made up the Republic of Kiribati
are divided into three island groups: 17 islands in the Gilbert
Group (including Banaba), 8 in the Phoenix Group and 8 in the Line
Group. Of these 33 islands of the Republic of Kiribati, 21 are
inhabited. All islands, with the exception of Banaba (Ocean Island),
are low-lying and at risk of sea level rising.
Formerly known as
Gilbert Islands, it was declared the British Protectorate in 1892
and in 1915 the Gilbert and Ellice Islands Colony under the British
empire was formed. In 1971 Gilbert and Ellice Islands gained self
rule but separated in 1975 and granted self internal government.
Gilbert Islands became independent as Kiribati on 12th July 1979.
Main Commercial Fish Species:
Tunas: albacore (Thunnus alalunga),
bigeye (Thunnus obesus), skipjack (Katsuwonus pelamis) and yellowfin
(Thunnus albacares)
Purse-seine, Longline and Pole and Line Tuna
Fishery, Subsistence and small scale commercial tuna troll,
Aquarium, Sea Cucumber
Pacific Islands Tuna
Industry Association - With its membership covering 14
Pacific Island countries and several national industry associations,
the Pacific Islands Tuna Industry Association (PITIA) provides
information and services to its members to encourage information and
engagement of industry in key policy decisions affecting their
businesses. Specific objectives of PITIA, as laid out in the
Founding Agreement of 2004, include: Provide a united voice for the
Forum Island Countries’ domestic tuna fishing and associated
industries. Facilitate and encourage the promotion of the
economically and biologically sustainable use of tuna and
tuna-related resources by Forum Island Countries’ domestic tuna
fishing and associated industries in the region. Undertake,
co-ordinate and promote liaison and negotiations with national,
regional and international bodies and other entities having an
interest in or an effect on the fishing or associated industries of
the Forum Island Countries.
Forum Fisheries Agency
- The Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) is based in
Honiara, Solomon Islands and comprises 17 member governments. It was
established in August 1979 to help countries manage their fishery
resources that fall within their 200 mile exclusive economic zones.
The founding document of the Agency is the South Pacific Forum
Fisheries Agency Convention.
Kiribati has the
largest Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ or national waters) of all the
FFA member countries - a massive area of 3,550,000 square kilometres
- posing a significant development opportunity and surveillance
challenge for the small island developing state.
Western and Central
Pacific Fisheries Commission - Commission for the
Conservation and Management of Highly Migratory Fish Stocks in
the Western and Central Pacific Ocean
Fishery and Aquaculture Country Profile for Kiribati
- aquatic species caught by country or area, by species items, by
FAO major fishing areas, and year, for all commercial, industrial,
recreational and subsistence purposes. The harvest from mariculture,
aquaculture and other kinds of fish farming is also included.
