Kiribati - Fishing

Sea fishing is excellent, particularly for skipjack tuna around the Phoenix Islands. Kiribati has one of the world's longest maritime zones, covering approximately three million sq km. Commercial fishing has expanded dramatically since 1979 as the result of projects funded by Japan, the United Kingdom, and the EU. The total sea catch in 2000 was 40,000 tons. Kiribati also receives revenue from the sales of licenses permitting foreign vessels to fish its offshore waters. Seaweed is also exported. Exports of fish products were valued at US $3.9 million in 2000.