Kiribati enforces $5m fine

[Stacey King]

Fiji Times Online By Geraldine Panapasa Thursday, August 12, 2010
IN an effort to combat illegal fishing and poachers around the Phoenix Islands Marine Protected Area (PIPA) in Kiritbati, the government has imposed a $5 million fine on those caught in the act.

Kiribati President Anote Tong (left) at the press conference where he said that Phoenix Islands Marine Protected Area (PIPA) had been listed on the World Heritage List

Kiribati president Anote Tong made the comment on Monday at a press conference to announce PIPA's listing as a World Heritage Site.
"It's got to be realised that Phoenix Islands are quite isolated. This is one of the reasons why it has maintained that standard of pristine nature," he said.
"What we (government) has done is closed-off the area so there is no fishing or commercial activity.
"It will remain closed now and in the future. We have had poachers in the past and there have been illegal fishing activities.
"We have caught them and fined them $5m. The long liners and illegal fishermen do go there and this is one of the challenges we would have to deal with."
Meanwhile, Mr Tong said Kiribati had a huge Exclusive Economic Zone. He said the declaration of PIPA as a protected area was part of the country's statement to the international community that they had made sacrifices.
"Provided you have the will and commitment. Indeed, it will impinge on the ability to generate revenue because closing it off will impact on our revenue from fishing licences," he said.
"We have made that sacrifice in the belief and hope that other countries can do the same in respect to climate change.
"There is a very hard and long debate on climate change and hopefully this is a demonstration of what can and could be done."
Mr Tong said the declaration of PIPA as a World Heritage Site could open doors to tourism development in Kiribati.
He said the biggest challenge when the site was considered for listing was the government's ability to manage it.

[Takesau Tabore]

I wonder what Banaba could become if it were an autonomous region with its own EEZ and exclusive fishing rights that is controlled by RCL?