Advancing Tuvalu’s Fisheries Through Strategic Asset Management

The Tuvalu Fisheries Department is a critical player in the country’s economic development and food security and relies on its physical assets to fulfil its functions. With assets including buildings, motor vehicles, vessels, equipment, and office furniture worth approximately AUD 4.8 million, efficient asset management is important.  

However, Tuvalu’s challenging geographic isolation and coastal environment—with salt-laden air, high humidity, and tropical temperatures—accelerates wear and tear, requiring consistent and proactive maintenance strategies to protect these assets' longevity and functionality.

Recognising these challenges, the Tuvalu Fisheries Department contracted Future Partners Ltd to develop a comprehensive Asset Management Plan along with the Building Maintenance Plan, to ensure long-term operational efficiency. Our work focussed on the following: 

Review of assets 

Future Partners’ Associate Jonathan Fletcher conducted an in-depth review of the Tuvalu Fisheries Department’s office building and facilities to assess their overall condition and identified areas requiring immediate intervention, due to salt corrosion, wear and tear, fire safety, and deferred maintenance. Recommendations were made for using materials and coatings chosen to best withstand the harsh environment. 

Developing asset management processes 

The Asset Management Plan has established a systematic approach to asset control and maintenance as follows: 

• Regular inspections and cleaning: Scheduling building exterior cleaning every three months to mitigate salt corrosion, supplemented by annual thorough inspections to identify early repair and maintenance needs. 

• Efficient repairs and maintenance: Introducing clear guidelines for prioritising and planning repairs, categorising maintenance needs into urgent, routine, and long-term actions. 

• Team structure: Recommending the forming of a dedicated asset management team, including an Asset Controller/Procurement Manager and supporting maintenance officers, to ensure effective planning, management and oversight of the Tuvalu Fisheries Department’s assets. 

• Asset tracking: Deploying asset management software to maintain records on asset location, condition, depreciation, and maintenance history. Staff training should be undertaken to maximise software use. 

Integrating fire and safety measures 

Recognising that fire hazards are a significant risk, we recommended: 

• Installing smoke detectors and fire alarms in critical areas. 

• Conducting annual checks on fire safety equipment, including the smoke detectors, fire alarms, extinguishers and emergency exit signs. 

• Organising bi-annual fire drills for staff to ensure all know what to do in the event of a fire and can evacuate the building swiftly and safely. 

Budgeting and supply chain management and planning 

Efficient budgeting practices were recommended to address both planned and unplanned asset requirements such as: 

• Introducing a rolling five-year budgeting and planning framework to meet  depreciation, repairs, and replacements requirements. 

• Using this five-year framework as the basis for developing an annual plan of works and asset replacement. 

• Forward-ordering essential supplies and spare parts to counter the logistics delays inherent in Tuvalu's geographic location. 

• Recommending secure, safe and organised storage for asset management supplies to ensure durability and accessibility.