Nanikaai village launches innovative Community-Based Tourism to Complement Fisheries Management Initiative

Excerpt and photo from southpacificislands.travel

Situated in South Tarawa, Kiribati, Nanikaai village is home to the Friends in Nanikaai (FIN), a mother community formed by several small communities. FIN predominantly is the first village in South Tarawa to champion the community-based fisheries management initiative as a way of improving their livelihood through the management of their marine resources.

From January 29th to 31st January, 2024, FIN launched its Community-Based Fisheries Management Plan (CBFMP).  This plan serves as a guide for the effective management of the Nanikaai Marine Protected Area (MPA).

The event included a programme which featured a clean-up campaign and community awareness focusing on plastic repurposing training. This training program was organized by the Tourism Authority of Kiribati in collaboration with the Environment and Conservation Division as an initiative for this community to look at the plastic bottles differently.  The event culminated with the MPA Tour in a bid to raise awareness and inspire interest in learning about the MPA.  The activities seek to balance conservation efforts with economic opportunities, promoting sustainable development rooted in social-cultural values, environmental conservation and economic prosperity.