Fiji and Kiribati have formalised a bilateral partnership to develop sandfish aquaculture, signing a Memorandum of Understanding that lays out concrete transfers and strict biosecurity steps to support sustainable sea cucumber farming across the Pacific. The agreement was signed by Fiji’s Minister for Fisheries and Forests Alitia Bainivalu and Kiribati’s Minister for Fisheries and Ocean Resources Ribanataake Tiwau, and sets out the staged transfer of broodstock and joint measures to protect marine ecosystems.
Under the MoU, Fiji will supply between 100 and 150 sandfish broodstock to Kiribati during 2026. Each broodstock specimen is expected to weigh about 300 to 400 grams. Before any export, the animals will be held at Fiji’s Galoa fisheries station where they will undergo a minimum two-week observation period. Officials said the quarantine regime at Galoa will include daily health monitoring, waste-management protocols and preventative treatments to meet biosecurity standards prior to shipment.
On arrival in Kiribati, the sandfish will be placed in a quarantine facility for at least two months before any controlled release into the marine environment. The extended on-arrival quarantine is intended to allow for further health checks and to prevent the accidental introduction of pathogens into local waters, according to ministry officials involved in planning the transfer. Both governments described the timing and incremental approach as designed to manage risk while building capacity for local aquaculture.
Minister Bainivalu framed the agreement as part of a broader thrust by Pacific island states to bolster climate resilience, food security and the Blue Economy. She said the partnership reflects shared priorities among island nations as they face climate pressures and a steady rise in international demand for sea cucumber products: the species, known in Fiji as Dairo, is a high-value commodity for local livelihoods and export markets. Kiribati officials noted the arrangement offers an opportunity to diversify coastal livelihoods and develop domestic aquaculture skills.
The MoU follows steps Fiji has taken this year to strengthen aquaculture governance. The transfer falls under the policy framework established by Fiji’s recent Aquaculture Act and the national Aquaculture Development Plan for 2024–2028, which emphasise sustainability, designated farming zones and biosecurity measures. International partners such as the UN FAO have previously been cited by Fiji as contributors to aquaculture planning and capacity-building across the region.
Practical next steps under the agreement will include completing quarantine and health certification at Galoa, scheduling the phased shipments throughout 2026, and setting up quarantine and monitoring facilities in Kiribati ahead of the arrivals. Both ministries have committed to technical cooperation around husbandry practices, monitoring and environmental safeguards. The formal MoU marks the latest development in Fiji’s push to operationalise its aquaculture strategy and deliver practical regional cooperation on sustainable ocean resource use.