Towards sustainable fish value chains for domestic tuna in Kiribati

FAO

Towards sustainable fish value chains for domestic tuna in Kiribati

A ten-year upgrading strategy (2023–2033)

Year of publication 2025

Place of publication Rome, Italy ;

Pages 16 p.

Author FAO

Publisher FAO ;

Product type Brochure, flyer, fact-sheet

Full item page

Synopsis (short abstract) Kiribati, a small island country in the Central Pacific Ocean, has one of the world’s largest exclusive economic zones (EEZs), with abundant marine resources and tuna stock within its water. The artisanal tuna catch plays an important role in food security. An estimated 4 000 tonnes of tuna were caught annually by artisanal fishers, equating to annual tuna supply of around 33 kg per capita. Subsistence fishing is critical, with 47 percent of 20 000 households directly engaged in fishing activities; of these, 69 percent fish solely for home consumption. Fish consumption is estimated to exceed 70 kg per capita, one of the highest rates globally, being the primary protein source of protein in local diets. FAO SVC4SIDS project focuses on enhancing the domestic tuna value chain in the capital, South Tarawa, and two outer islands, Makin and Nikuanu, with further activities extending to North Tarawa. In collaboration with national stakeholders, the project has developed a comprehensive 10-year strategy. This aims at enhancing local capacity through sustainable infrastructure development, market-oriented vocational training, improved aquatic food safety and private sector development. While prioritised activities are being implemented, broader adoption and scaling of interventions requires collaboration and additional support. The publication seeks to garner support from development and donor partners.

Language English

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With a population of just 119 000, the remote island nation of Kiribati boasts one of the world’s largest exclusive economic zones, with abundant marine resources and tuna stock within its waters. The country’s economy is heavily reliant on fisheries, with subsistence, artisanal fisheries and small-scale commercial fishing play a further critical role in local food security and protein intake. In light of the economic and social benefits derived from the tuna value chain, a comprehensive value chain analysis report was developed, serving as a foundation for local intervention under the Sustainable Fish Value Chains for Small Island Developing States (SVC4SIDS) project. The focus is on the domestic market, especially in the areas of South Tarawa, Makin and Nikunau, with the aim of enhancing sustainable development and competitiveness of the domestic tuna value chain in Kiribati. The analysis is divided into two main sections. Firstly, a functional analysis examines the dynamics, performance as well as roles and interactions of the different actors involved within the domestic tuna value chain. It delves into the various stage of the value chain, from the harvesting of tuna to the final sale in domestic markets, considering the value chain importance to national food security in Kiribati. The functional analysis is followed by a triple-bottom sustainability assessment. This draws from a range of primary and secondary sources; primary data was obtained through stakeholder and actor interviews conducted in South Tawara, Makin and Nikunau. These are complemented by various reports and studies from government and academic bodies that detail the performance of relevant actors. The assessment further evaluates the resilience of the value chain, paying particular attention to responses to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic to better understand the mechanisms underpinning the country’s systematic responses and resilience.
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The ocean surrounding Kiribati is a precious source for the population livelihoods: it provides employment, source of income and healthy food. Kiribati has one of the highest per capita consumption of fish in the world with around 77 kg/capita. In the last years the fisheries sector in Kiribati has shown constant growth, particularly in capture fisheries where tuna catches have greatly contributed up to representing about 99 percent of the total. The factsheet provides an overview of the tuna fisheries in Kiribati and highlights how the FAO project “Sustainable Fish Value Chain for Small Island Developing States (SVC4SIDS)” is working to improve opportunities and enhance sustainable development and competitiveness of its associated value chain.