Chapter I Intro & Objectives - SPREP

PHOENIX ISLANDS PROTECTED AREA MANAGEMENT PLAN
Chapter III. Background, 2. Human Activities
Draft 1 March 2007
According to Douglas and Douglas (1994), there were 45 people on Abariringa (Kanton).
In 1992, it was reported that there were 45 government workers and their families lived on
Canton (Republic of Kiribati 1992). The 1995 annual need for freshwater (1995) was
estimated at 2000 m 3 and 3000 m 3 by 2000. There were 8 rain water tanks, and 7 open and 7
protected wells. There was one health center on Abariringa (Canton).
Abariringa (Kanton) had a small population of civil servants (Integrated Marine Management
Ltd. 1993).
In 1995, there were 83 people there (Asian Development Bank 2002).
In 1995, the survey team for the Phoenix Islands made numerous recommendations for
development of the Phoenix Islands, specifically Abariringa (Tunaari), Enderbury, Manra,
and Nikumaroro (Government of Kiribati 1995). These included the re-settlement of
Abariringa (Tunaari), Enderbury, Manra, and Nikumaroro. Overseas funding was suggested
as a mechanism for funding these projects.
In 1997, the Te Kakai scheme was proposed for Manra, Orona, Nikumaroro, and Abariringa
(Tunaari) to utilize idle resources there (Tauati 1997). The basic plan included four
activities: (1) copra production, (2) seaweed planting and harvesting, (3) sea cucumber
collection and (4) shark fin production. The budget provided ($95,048) was a 12 month
budget for expenses, not including staff costs and medical supplies.
In 2000, there were 61 people on Abariringa (Kanton) (Asian Development Bank 2002).
In the 2000 census, Statistics Office (2002b) reported that of the 61 people on Abariringa
(Kanton), 29 were male, and 32 were female. Detailed demographic information on these
residents was provided in Statistics Office (2002b).
There was a NOAA meteorological station on Abariringa (Kanton) (Kaufmann 2000).
Kaufmann (2000) reported about 40 people on Abariringa (Kanton).
Servicing Abariringa (Katon) and Orona were a financial problem as the volume of cargo was
too small to meet shipping costs (Timeon 2001).
In 2001, there was a notice in the Travel Notes of Angling Destinations, Incorporated (Anon.
2001) soliciting anglers interested in a special fishing trip to Abariringa (Kanton).
Oxfam Community Aid Abroad (2002) noted that Nauru and Kiribati had not signed the 1951
Convention on the Status of Refugees. The Australian Government approached the
Government of Kiribati regarding the possibility of setting up new refugee detention camps
(Maley et al 2002; see also Oxfam Community Aid Abroad 2002). Refugee camps had
already been set up in Papua New Guinea in exchange for AUD 10 million of economic
assistance. A camp had also been set up in Nauru.
In October 2001, a team of 3 Australians and 2 i-Kiribati officials travelled to Abariringa
(Kanton) to investigate the abandoned U.S. military base as a possible detention camp
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