Ministry of Natural Resources and Commerce - Division of Quarantine

09/07/2026

CRB Sanitation Update – June 2026

Throughout June 2026, the CRB Ground Team continued to conduct active sanitation operations throughout the infestation area. These activities focused on eliminating potential Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle (CRB) breeding sites, monitoring and maintaining panel traps across the infestation zone to detect and capture adult beetles, and conducting daily delimiting surveys to monitor the extent of the infestation and identify any new areas of concern.

The team removed and properly disposed of decaying coconut trunks, stumps, root systems, and other organic materials that may serve as breeding habitats for CRB larvae. Eliminating these breeding sites helps interrupt the beetle's life cycle, reduce the adult CRB population, and prevent the further spread of the infestation.

During the month, the team successfully removed 67 coconut root systems and captured a total of 132 CRB across all life stages through sanitation activities and trap monitoring. These included adult beetles, larvae, pupae, and eggs. The results demonstrate the continued effectiveness of the eradication program and reflect the team's dedication to reducing the CRB population and suppressing the infestation.

These ongoing sanitation, surveillance, and monitoring efforts are essential components of the CRB eradication program and play a vital role in protecting the coconut resources of Majuro Atoll. The Quarantine Division remains committed to working closely with its partners and the community to safeguard the Republic of the Marshall Islands from the spread of this invasive pest. Continued public cooperation in reporting CRB sightings and supporting sanitation efforts remains critical to the success of the eradication program.

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Melele ko rokaal kon CRB eo - June 2026

Ilo allon in June 2026 eo, team eo im ej komani jerbal ko nae CRB ekar wonmanlok wot im komane jerbal in karreo ko ilo ijoko im kij in ej mour ie. Jerbal in karro ko ej nan ad julok aolep jikin mour ko an kij in nae etan Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle (CRB), barenwot wate lok aujiid ko im boki kobban elane ewor CRB eo eritto ebo ak ekojok, im bar enwot komane jerbal in etale ko elane ewor kokale kaal ilo bukon/weto ko ioon aelon in.

Team in CRB eo rokar komakuti im julok aolep kobej ko jen nii enwot keen nii mor ko rej ejerwawa, depdep in nii ko im kobed ko jet rej walok jen nii ko im emaron bidodo an CRB ko mour ie. Ilo ad julok kobej in nii kein enej jiban kadiklok jikin mour kon an CRB eo ilo an drik im ritto lok im enaaj iiet lok CRB eo eritto im enej poprae jen an timoon im worlok.

Ilo allon in konono kake, team in ekar maron joloke 67 depdep in nii im bar enwot loe tarrin 132 CRB jen stage 1 nan CRB eo eritto ilo aer komani jerbal in karro ko im jerbal ko nae trap ko.

Jerbal in karreo kobej ko rej walok jen nii, koba jerbal in etale melan ko ewor joraan in CRB eo ej juon jokjok eo im elap ad kojerbale nan ad bukot mejlan an joko kij in ilo ad kojbaroke nii ko kotkad ioon Majuro in. Division eo an Quarantine ejjab jomlok an komani jerbal kein nae kij in ilo aer jerbal iben partner ro im community ko nan kojbarok aelon kein ad bwe kij in en jab diwojlok nan aelon ko ibelaak in Majol in. Kon menin, office in ej karon aolep bwe jen jerbal iben dron ilo ad riiboti joraan kein jen kij in im elap tata jen jiban dron karreo enwot ke jerbal in karreo ej juon jerbal eo elkun aurok nan ad jolok kij in jen aelon kein ad.

25/05/2026

Congratulations to our Invasive Species Coordinator, Mr. Byrelson Jacklick.

24/05/2026

PRESS RELEASE
Majuro, Marshall Islands – May 16, 2026

Division eo an Quarantine iumwin Ministry eo an Natural Resources and Commerce (MNRC) ear komman jerbal in kókààl kein aujiid ko im 37 total Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle (CRB) panel traps ko raar komman jen Rairok ñan Woja ilo Majuro ilo an jerbal in CRB wonmaanlok wot ilo aer jerbal e wot bwe en jab jelet jukjuk in pedr kein.

Ilo kar field operation in, ear alikar ke ewór joñan ne 48 adult CRBs ko im emój boki jen aujiid kein. Jerbal in bobrae in ej wonmaanlok wot im ejañin bójrak nan kejbarok ni, atake im jikin kallip kein ad, im bareinwot jujukin pedr kein jen invasive species kein jen aer kakure.

Quarantine Division ej jañin bójrak an rójañ jukjuk in pedr kein bwe ren report e ne kwoj lowe kókkale in joreen kein jen CRB im jiban lal in ad nan kejbarok men kein bwinnid ipelaakin Majol in.

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PRESS RELEASE
Majuro, Marshall Islands – May 16, 2026

The Quarantine Division under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Commerce (MNRC) renewed and monitored 37 Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle (CRB) panel traps from Rairok to Woja on Majuro Atoll as part of its ongoing CRB surveillance and control program.

During the field operation, a total of 48 adult CRBs were collected from the traps. The activity supports ongoing efforts to protect coconut trees, local agriculture, and the environment from invasive species threats.

The Quarantine Division continues to encourage the public to report signs of CRB damage and support national biosecurity efforts across the Marshall Islands.

23/05/2026

01/04/2026

📢 Attention All International Passengers Traveling via United Airlines and Nauru Airlines 📢

We kindly urge all inbound passengers to declare any agricultural items upon arrival into the RMI. This is critical to prevent the introduction of new pests and diseases that can harm our environment and food security.

In March 2026, several travelers were intercepted by Customs & Quarantine Officers for bringing in fruits and other agricultural products without the required import permits and Phytosanitary Certificates from the country of origin. These items were intentionally concealed in clothing, plastic wrapping, and even sneaker boxes.

As a result, some of the intercepted fruits at Amata Kabua International Airport were found to be carrying pests such as mealybugs. All contaminated items were immediately confiscated and destroyed in accordance with quarantine regulations.

⚠️ Help protect the Marshall Islands—declare all agricultural items. Non-compliance may result in penalties.

16/02/2026

CRB Joint Operation – Ministry of Natural Resources & Commerce (MoNRC), Majuro Atoll Local Government (MALGov), and Ajeltake Community Development Association Incorporate (ACDA Inc.)
Week 2 Operation Update

During Week 2 of the joint Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle (CRB) operation, the field team conducted intensive sanitation activities aimed at safeguarding coconut resources and reducing beetle population pressure within affected areas.

Throughout the reporting period, the team carried out systematic site sanitation and surveillance activities, resulting in the capture of 753 CRB larvae and 17 adult beetles and 57 CRB eggs. These findings indicate continued active breeding within the operational zone and highlight the importance of sustained intervention efforts.

In addition to biological capture, extensive sanitation measures were implemented to eliminate potential breeding habitats. Activities included the removal and disposal of old and decaying coconut trunks, organic debris, and root sections of coconut trees found across operational sites. The destruction of these breeding sites is a critical component of the eradication strategy, as it minimizes opportunities for adult CRB to lay eggs and subsequently reduces future population emergence.

The combined sanitation and capture efforts are contributing to the overall objective of suppressing CRB infestation and protecting coconut tree health within the operation area. Continued monitoring and coordinated field actions will remain essential to sustaining progress and preventing re-infestation.

All CRB specimens collected at various life stages were destroyed through burning in accordance with approved biosecurity treatment protocols

02/02/2026

CRB Joint Operation – MoNRC, MALGov and ACDA. Inc.
Day 1 Summary (2 February 2026)

Today February 2, 2026, the Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle (CRB) joint operation was officially conducted in Ajeltake Village, a confirmed CRB-affected area. The objective of this joint operation is to safeguard the coconut tree by eliminating the CRB.

During the operation, CRB implemented sanitation measures to remove potential and active breeding sites, which is to remove coconut debris and organic material. As a result of the operation, a total of 120 CRB individuals were captured across all developmental stages (112 larvae, 3 pupae , and 5 adults CRB), indicating active infestation within the operational area.

All captured CRB specimens were disposed by burning in accordance with operational biosecurity procedures.

This initial outcome highlights the critical importance of sanitation.

30/01/2026

January 30, 2026

Small team from NRC reponse to Wotje local government of possible CRB present in the community. The team conducted, rapid assessment, field works, and delimited survey.

Big komoltata nan WOTJE local government for their best hospitality.