Marine Atlas: Maximizing Benefits for Kiribati

FULL SPEED AHEAD: VESSEL TRAFFIC Kiribati’s waters are a highway for thousands of domestic and international vessels that are lifelines for many I-Kiribati, who rely on the regular delivery of important goods and food items. Minimizing po- tential environmental and safety risk is therefore a high priority for all.

Ships coming in and out of Kiribati ports, from fishing vessels, to cargo vessels, cruise ships and ferries, serve many different pur- poses. Being an island nation, shipping is a very important means of transport for both goods and people from one island to anoth- er. The map only reflects the larger regis- tered vessel traffic and does not capture much of the small, local boat traffic. Fishing vessels operate in a range of fish- eries, including artisanal and subsistence inshore fisheries and commercial offshore fisheries for tuna and billfish (see also chap- ters “Fishing in the dark” and “Small fish, big importance”). Fishing vessel activity is one of the main shipping activities occurring in Kiribati’s waters. Fishing vessel activity

is highest to the west of the Gilbert group, throughout most of the Phoenix group and around the islands of the Line group. There is also a significant amount of fishing vessel transit through the Line group, as seen by the straight lines crossing east to west. Kiribati has two main international cargo ports: one located on the edge of Betio Lagoon on Tarawa and the other at Ron- ton on Kiritimati (Christmas Island). These ports are managed by the Kiribati Ports Authority and service the freight vessel traffic, which brings much of the food and goods to Kiribati. As Kiribati’s land area is very small, the people are reliant on im- ports for much of their food, fuel and other consumable goods. In terms of exports,

Kiribati exports the coconut product co- pra, which accounts for approximately two thirds of its export revenue. From the map of different types of vessels crisscrossing Kiribati’s waters, it is clear that MSP is key not only for navigational safety, but also to minimize conflicts with Kiribati’s many other marine values that are threat- ened, be it by fishing or oil spills. In order to avoid the negative impacts of oil transport- ers and shipping emissions in general, and to decrease Kiribati’s fossil fuel dependence, more sustainable forms of sea transport are being explored. As a seafaring nation, the I-Kiribati can look to their ancestors, who were advanced sailors following the stars in their traditional, wind-powered Te wa.

Te wa In Kiribati’s vast ocean space, you don’t want to get lost. Unfortunately, this can happen quite easily. In 1992, two fishermen involuntarily extended their fishing trip in their tiny boat and ended up in Samoa 175 days later, some 3,000 kilometres away—in modern terms, a 12-hour flight. To avoid this world record of being lost at sea, they should have listened to their forefathers who, with their carefully constructed canoes (known as te wa) and navigational skills, created routes and voyaging traditions to successfully reach their destinations without getting lost. The knowledge of these regular voyages across the ocean is preserved by the I-Kiribati in their language, which is still used in all 16 islands in the Gilbert group.

Today, the focus of maritime transpor- tation has shifted from safeguarding inter-island movements and traditional navigational skills to securing routes and building infrastructure for inbound vessels such as container ships and fishing fleets. This shift was necessary not only to ensure Kiribati’s growth and secure its economic trade with the rest of world, but more importantly, to maintain a stable import of food com- modities and other material demands to the country.

MAXIMIZING BENEFITS FOR KIRIBATI

THREATS

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