1.  To attend workshops organized by BFA Inc.,  KANGO etc.

2.  To be on training plan (long term and short term)

3.  Enhance capacity-building

4.  Education assistance

5.  Issues, concerns to be voiced to the Government of the Day

6.  To be part of Fishermen Team ship

BFA Inc. capabilities

At this point in time, we have about 135 members, we have one Sea Captain, Able-Seamen, experienced, lifetime fishermen,  with graduates and the other with Master of Arts in Community and International Development, Business Administration. 

BFA Organization Structure

The Executives meet once a month before the members' monthly meetings, every Saturday of the month.  In those meetings, discussions are held on the last months revenues and expenditures, projects and the issues of the Association.  In the members monthly meetings, issues from members will be further strengthened, allowing transparency and accountability.  Finance Committee will prepare, stock monies and assets of BFA Inc. before the monthly meetings.

TRAINING WORKSHOPS

Currently, we identified our training needs which are GPS, navigation, outboard motor engine, leadership and financial management and so forth.  We have no problems with the GPS training as we have 4 GPS from the donation of the Chinese Embassy plus our well- qualified resource persons.  The Association had been running Introductory GPS Training Workshops to our fishers as well as moving to some rural fishermen on the islands of Aranuka, Onotoa, Makin and North Tarawa. We will keep giving the trainings so the fishers can go out fishing as far as they wish and return home safe.  They will save their cost by moving to their right fishing ground. We have been giving out trainings on outboard motor engine with the Fisheries Division of the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resource Development. We are glad that we have somebody to look after the Engineering Division, a good start with engine repairs.

How the Association Finances itself:

1. Membership fees.

2. Income generated from Te Tarakai Newspaper

3.  Fundraising.

4.  Donations from business community

5.Government grants

6. Small Grants and aid in kind from AusAID and New Zealand, Taiwan Embassy, Canada Fund, Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat in Suva, Fiji and Secretariat of the South Pacific (SPC) in Noumea, New Caledonia

OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSOCIATION:

Promote Tangira (kind heart), Iraorao (fellowship), Bobonnano (unity).

Promote and protect the interest of members.

Create sister ship with fishermen abroad including fishermen from Hamasaka.

Enhance specialization in fishing and capacity building.

To seek better markets locally and or externally.

To seek fortunes out in the 3 million sq. km. ocean.

Assist income generating opportunities to members.

Assist members' exposures and observations.

MEMBERSHIP/PARTNERSHIP

Fisheries Division, Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resource Development, Tanaea, Tarawa Is Kiribati

Marilyn Ruth Beverley, Michigan USA

KANGO (Kiribati Association of Non-Governmental Organizations), Bairiki Tarawa Kiribati.

ICEA, (International Community Education Association), Virginia, United States of America

Canada Int'l Development Assistance c/o: Canada High Commission, Wellington, NZ.