MFMRD-Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources Development
Training and Information Unit is another unit within the Fisheries Division stationed in Tanaea. The unit is manned by two staff for the last 6 years and currently only one staff is manning the unit while technical assistance and support has been received by a former senior officer of the unit. There is a need to recruit one or two Fisheries Assistants to assist in the implementation of activity for the unit. The Training Unit has a strong obligation towards the Kiribati Development Plans and the Kiribati National Fisheries Policy
The major objective of the Training Unit:
To carry out public awareness program through media, newspapers, and community outreach on all fisheries related matters
To disseminate information on fisheries and marine resources targeting Primary, Secondary and tertiary students in need of such assistance.
To conduct training and workshops on sustainable utilization of our marine resources through post-harvest processing, preservation and handling that could assist the communities, fisherman associations, and local fisherman in generating their daily livelihood and income.
To provide training and capacity building to Fisheries Assistant trainees prior posting to stationed in the outer islands.
Collaboratively work with Mechanical Units in disseminating awareness via hands-on training on outboard engine troubleshooting that could assist in minimizing lost at sea incidences.
To assist in consultation processes implemented in the outer islands and South Tarawa
Development of awareness tools such as posters, leaflets/pamphlets, signage etc and disseminate for the public information.
Safekeep all library records of books and reports at Tanaea
To assist with school visits to the Fisheries Division for need of information
Unit’s Work Focus
Public Awareness via media, local newspapers , leaflets/pamphlets signage etc
Training and Workshops on value add seafood such as tuna jerky, pickled seafood and seaweed product
School visits
Community consultation on te bwawe and te maebo management plan
Development and review of Outer island Bye-laws
Outer island consultation on FAD management plan
New Focus for the next 4 years
1. Establishment of Food Laboratory in Tanaea.
As there is an existing building dormantly utilized by the Fisheries Division, this could undergone minor renovations to cater for this purpose. From this laboratory, it could be equipped with proper processing tools and a clean running water to sample all value added products prior disseminating to the local communities. There is a need to build on what has been done on value add processing by targeting island specific endowments. Such as pickled peanut seaworm in Tab South and Tab North, Pickled clam in Butaritari and Abaiang etc
2. Recovery of Fisheries in Tamana and Arorae from TC Pam
Distribution of necessary tools for processing such solar dryers coupled with training on post-harvest processing of seafood are now the main focus to help Tamana and Arorae recover from the loss caused by TC Pam
3. Identification of Capacity Building trainings on Food Technology
The training will capacitate staff that will be engaged with processing of new seafood products especially for the need on hands-on training.
4. Introduction of fish canning in Kiribati
With the necessary skills and knowledge acquired from training overseas, the unit will carry out training and workshops on proper procedures of small scale fish canning which will be implemented in 2017.