The Ministry of Fisheries & Marine Resource Development (MFMRD) is responsible for sustainable development of the fisheries and marine and resources of Kiribati, including but not limited to development domestic and joint ventures of tuna industries harvesting, processing and fish marketing and coordinate development of coastal marine resources. It is also mandated to negotiate bilateral fishing access in respect of local and foreign fishing vessels, monitoring, control and surveillance, management and harnessing of non-living deep sea mineral resources, It provides avenues for scientific research on existing natural or man-made resources or products ab nd participate in international and regional fisheries conventions.