A team of two (2) officials from Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) and Fisheries Division (FD) had visited Abemama on the 4-11 August 2019 to empower the local communities to generate and control directly their own Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and tourism activities.
9 communities were visited including Tebwanga Maiaki and Meang, Tabontebike, Reina, Baretoa, Tekatirirake, Tabiang Maiaki and Meang and the islet of Abemama named Abatiku.
This joint initiative is to allow the communities to enhance their development and well-being in respect of the marine biodiversity and their cultural heritage in order to sustain their food security from the marine food sources against tourism and climate change impact.
Component of the consultation include amongst others; awareness on Community Based Fisheries Management locally known, tour package development utilizing cultural and natural resources available linking both agriculture and tourism sectors: “agritourism”.
This has many benefits to the communities of Abemama such as creating and sustaining livelihoods through conservation of the marine and land biodiversity, maintaining and beautification of cultural heritage sites, introducing of income generating activities through the MPAs and cultural sites tours, showcasing of unique traditional ways of living, marketing of local handicrafts, bringing in sustainable tourism developments and practices such as in planning of creative and environmental friendly accommodations. From these benefits, all are contributing to enhancing of food security against the impact of climate change and overall increasing the national economic developments as a higher-level objective.
As an outcome of this visit, the management plan for MPA in Abatiku will be drafted and to have incorporated the protection of bonefish for fly-fishing game targeted for international tourists. 1 new community from Kabangaki village proposed to establish it’s MPA, awareness is increased on the development and implementation of the tour package development, identification of constraints in the implementation of the community Fisheries Management Plans and the possible way forward, awareness is increased on the integration of their natural resources with tourism such as in showcasing the giant taro swamp and traditional skills to cultivate the giant taro plant.
During the visit to Abatiku islet, the community were also informed about the coming of the Cruise in November 2020 for the tour to this islet. Hence the community were also briefed on the need to ensure preparation of the islet for guest satisfaction and for the locals to utilize this opportunity in marketing their traditional skills, dances and handicrafts.
Strong support was seen from the communities throughout the consultation such as in the islet of Abatiku, the councilor and the members had agreed to support this visit. The councilor Mr Avia Teruruai said “you have the full support of Abatiku as a whole to prepare for the cruise visit by protecting our marine resources, maintaining and conserving the historical and cultural site at sea and on land as part of the cruise passengers unique experience”.
At Tekatirirake village, the community added that “the need of establishing our marine protected areas will serve two purposes; to protect and conserve our marine resources and also to create something that would attract tourists.” Such a comment reaffirms the of value this program for the people of Abemama. Thus, the benefits will also assist in mitigating food security challenges and create more enterprising opportunities.
The trip was supported by the Kiribati LDCF-I project, funded by the Global Environment Facility and implemented under the Environment and Conservation Division with the support of the United Nations Development Programme.
