Ministry of Natural Resources and Commerce - Division of Quarantine

01/04/2026

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.

29/01/2026

The Quarantine Division's CRB Team met with MALGOV CRB Focal Point, Jina David, and Ajeltake Councilman, Boaz Lamdrik, to discuss the upcoming Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle (CRB) sanitation operation, scheduled to begin on Monday, February 2, 2026, starting from Ajeltake and continuing through Laura. The meeting highlighted the importance of close coordination with traditional as well as local leaders and community members to protect the outer islands, where many families depend on copra as their main source of livelihood and are therefore among the most vulnerable to the impacts of CRB.

Again, we want to thank and recognize United States Forest Service for making this possible!

28/01/2026

On January 26, 2026, MoNRC Secretary Ywao Elanzo Jr. met with Ajeltake Councilman Boaz Lamdrik to hand over a check to the Ajeltake Community Development Association (ACDA) in support of Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle (CRB) sanitation efforts in the community.

The Ministry of Natural Resources & Commerce (MoNRC) has entered into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with ACDA, an NGO, to support local efforts to control and eventually eradicate CRB. Through this agreement, ACDA is contracted to assist MoNRC with CRB response activities such as checking coconut trees for damage, cleaning up dead or rotting coconut materials, setting and monitoring beetle traps, supporting community awareness, and reporting progress to the Ministry.

This partnership highlights the importance of early detection, community involvement, and working together to stop the spread of CRB and protect coconut trees that are vital to our food, culture, livelihoods, and environment.

🌴 MoNRC and ACDA remain committed to working closely with community members to protect the natural resources of RMI.

14/01/2026

MALGOV and MoNRC Strengthen Partnership to Combat Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle (CRB) Infestation in Majuro.

Majuro, RMI – January 9, 2026 – Majuro Mayor Ladie Jack, along with officials from the Majuro Atoll Local Government (MALGOV), met with Minister Anthony M. Muller and representatives from the Ministry of Natural Resources & Commerce (MoNRC) to discuss collaborative efforts to address the CRB infestation.

During the meeting, both parties reaffirmed their commitment to a strengthened partnership, formalized through a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA). Under this agreement, MoNRC has contracted MALGOV to assist in implementing CRB management activities across Majuro. These efforts include monitoring coconut trees for signs of damage, removing dead or decaying trees, deploying pheromone traps, and providing community education on measures to prevent the spread of the pest.

Officials from both MALGOV and MoNRC underscored the importance of early detection, community engagement, and collaborative action to protect coconut trees, which are essential to the atoll’s food security, cultural heritage, and environmental sustainability.

This partnership reflects a shared commitment to preserving Majuro’s natural resources and ensuring the long-term health and resilience of the atoll for current and future generations.

The Division would also like to recognize United States Forest Service (USFS) for making this possible. Komool Tata!

06/01/2026

Job opening ‼️ Jouj im apply ilo PSC mokta jen 01/20/26 !!

19/12/2025

We wish you a very blessed Christmas and a prosperous New Year! Jeramon from your favorite team!

25/11/2025

The Republic of Marshall Islands (RMI) Ministry for Natural Resources was honored to host the Global Environment Facility Regional Invasives Project (GEF6 RIP) Terminal Review and Knowledge Sharing Workshop at the Marshall Islands Resort in Majuro. It was a privilege for our country to welcome the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) and participants from across the region for this significant gathering.

The workshop brought together stakeholders and partners to celebrate six years of GEF 6 RIP achievements, reflect on the challenges and journey undertaken, and explore pathways for sustaining these vital initiatives.
We are grateful to all participants who chose RMI as the venue for this important event. Together, we honored the dedicated individuals behind these successes and charted an ambitious path forward to sustain and expand the impact of invasive species management across the Pacific. Country participants shared their accomplishments and discussed strategies to replicate, scale up, and sustain GEF 6 RIP results, including integration into SPREP's Centre of Excellence and the Pacific Regional Invasive Species Management Support Service (PRISMSS) through its Restoring Island Resilience project to ensure long-term sustainability.

Komool Tata!