First Fishing Guide Training in Maiana

The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) facilitated the first ever fishing guide training on Maiana Island from 17 August to 05 September 2020.

Conducted by experienced Kiritimati fishing guide, Mr. Ioran Kaiteie, the training focused on the role of a fishing guides and materials needed to carry out the role. These included techniques at a fishing flat, how to set up fishing gears, how to communicate with anglers, and how to spot bonefish. The program also included  marine resource conservation through a non-consumptive approach to reduce the vulnerability of their marine ecosystem

This training was a preparatory assistance for Maiana’s international fly-fishing market.

Maiana Mayor, Mrs Rebite Taakeimoa expressed her gratitude for the training and trusts that the new acquired knowledge and skills will be useful to the island in the future.

The 25 training participants also believe that their training will have economic benefits for their families and communities once international travel resumes.  They are also confident that the activity would support enhancing the resilience and livelihood of communities to lessen overharvesting of bonefish and other game fishing species against the unpredictable effects of climate change.

The program was funded by the ‘LDCF’ project which is supported by the Global Environment Facility-Least Developed Countries Fund and the United Nations Development Programme, and executed through the Environment and Conservation Division under the Ministry of Environment, Lands and Agriculture Development.