Bex Ansell, Auckland University

Bex’s Research Topic: Community Access to Tuna in South Tarawa, Kiribati

Locally caught fresh tuna is on the menu for most of South Tarawa’s residents on a daily basis. Before dawn over a hundred 5m long wooden boats, powered by outboard motors, head out in search of yellowfin and skipjack. But recent research by University of Auckland Development Studies PhD student, Bex Ansell, reveals concerns within the small-scale industry about their future. Many tuna fishers and fish-sellers have observed worrying trends over time such as decreasing catch per unit effort, increasing competition both at the small-scale level and with the purse-seine industry and increasing distances travelled to find tuna, factors which exclude canoe-fishers and those with greater family responsibilities from participating. “Imagine in the future, I think fishermen will come back with just only 5 tuna. I’m afraid that will happen because that is our main source of income and if tuna vanish, we will also vanish,” Emeri, selling tuna for 10 years. As the Government expands its commercial purse-seine fleet caution is needed to protect the small-scale industry.

While increased time on the water can be a barrier to women fishing in this traditionally male-dominated industry, not all are deterred, and gender norms are shifting. The research highlights successful Kiribati female tuna-fishers who have until now remained largely invisible, even to the communities they come from. Of note, it is the male fishers who have witnessed their efforts who are their biggest champions and allies. More can be done to raise the profile of these inspirational women: “All women can do fishing just like me,” Ameria, female fisher, tuna fishing for 15 years.

Research was conducted with the support of the Government of Kiribati, and a local research team of five women with experience in fisheries or gender issues. Fieldwork included interviews with 25 small-scale tuna fishers and 15 tuna fishsellers, surveys with 49 fishsellers, and a survey of 242 members of the community of Teaoraereke, in September and October of 2024. The research identified who benefits from South Tarawa’s tuna, the obstacles they face, their concerns and ambitions, and lived experiences with sustainability.

Bex Ansell, PhD Student in Development Studies, University of Auckland