Community-Based Fisheries Management (CBFM)

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Community-based fisheries management (CBFM) in Kiribati is a significant approach aimed at sustainable fisheries and marine resource management, involving local communities in decision-making and stewardship. In summary CBFM reflects a proactive approach to ensuring sustainable use of marine resources while empowering local communities to safeguard their livelihoods and cultural heritage.

Here’s some background information on CBFM in Kiribati:

1. Context and Importance

· Kiribati, an island nation in the central Pacific Ocean, heavily relies on fisheries as a vital resource for food security, livelihoods, and cultural identity.

· Overfishing, climate change impacts, and unsustainable practices have threatened marine resources, prompting the need for effective management.

2. Legal and Policy Framework

· The Costal Fisheries regulation 2019 and Fisheries Act support for community-based fisheries management to manage fisheries resources at the community level.

· Regional level – New Song, Noumea Strategy (SPC 2015) and Pacific framework for scaling up CBFM 2021-2025

· These framework and policies are emphasizing community involvement, recognizing the traditional knowledge and practices of local communities.

3. Key Features of CBFM in Kiribati:

· Community Ownership: Communities develop their management plan to manage their marine resources.

· Co-Management Approaches: Collaborative partnerships between communities, government agencies such as MELAD, Tourism and MOE are common.

· Traditional Knowledge Integration: CBFM integrates traditional ecological knowledge with scientific data to inform decision-making.

· Regulatory Measures: These include seasonal closures, restricted areas, and limits on fishing gear and catch sizes to ensure sustainable practices.

4. Successes To-date

· Improved fishery sustainability, increased community engagement and empowerment, and enhanced resilience to environmental changes.

· Since 2014, over 60 communities across 11 islands have been engaged in Community-Based Fisheries Management (CBFM), with more communities requesting to join

· 6 women association established to join in the management and conservation of marine resources

5. Examples and Initiatives:

· Kuuma MPA: Community closed areas where bonefish spawn to allow bonefish stocks to recover. The closing only during the spawning season

· Partnerships: Collaborative efforts with international organizations to support capacity building, research, and funding for CBFM initiatives.

History & Funding

· The project funded by the Australian government since the start in 2014

· The project integrated into the coastal fisheries division as one of the its unit. Many project activities were collaborate with other unit within CFD such as coral planting, catch monitoring, bye-law and etc..

Main activities

· Catch monitoring – collecting fishing data to

· MPA – establishing community marine protected area under the management plan

· Management plan – developing community management plan

· Women groups