EEZ News & Analysis

Kiribati's Tuna Licenses Contribute 70% of Government Revenue

Kiribati, which produces over half of the world's tuna from its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) covering more than 3.4 million sq km, relies heavily on tuna fishing licenses for its economy. Government figures indicated that $137 million was generated from selling these licenses in 2024, accounting for more than 70% of government revenues. The global tuna market is valued at over $44 billion. However, climate change poses a significant risk to local tuna populations, potentially affecting the demand for these licenses and threatening Kiribati's economic stability.