Indonesia, retailers including Whole Foods, Woolworths, Marks & Spencer back one-by-one fisheries accord

The Indonesian Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries has signed an accord drafted by the International Pole and Line Foundation (IPNLF) backing pole-and-line, one-by-one fisheries.

The agreement was signed by Indonesian Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries Sakti Wahyu Trenggono following the International Coastal Tuna Business Forum in Bali, Indonesia, which took place on 24 and 25 May. It calls for the signing parties to take four actions: Safeguard the health and well-being of all workers throughout our one-by-one tuna supply chains in line with international standards and recommendations; elevate the market recognition of one-by-one tuna fisheries; support investments in innovations and modern climate-friendly technology with the aim of reducing the carbon footprint of one-by-one tuna supply chains; and follow global best practices in tuna handling and processing.

The agreement was written by the International Pole and Line Foundation and also signed by 17 IPNLF member companies, including retailers Whole Foods Markets, Woolworths, Marks & Spencer, and Migros.

“The ministry’s collaboration with IPNLF over many years has yielded significant results in terms of improvements in how Indonesia’s tuna fisheries are managed,” IPNLF Managing Director Marin Purves said in a press release. “Together with our international market partners and likeminded organizations, we look forward to continuing implementing improvements in the fisheries in line with the Bali Declaration 2023."

Indonesia is responsible for 16 percent of global tuna supply, or around one million metric tons annually.

“Indonesian one-by-one fisheries underpin local livelihoods and provide equitable distribution of wealth, food security, and gender equal employment opportunities. However, like many small-scale fisheries, they’re characterized by remote, coastal communities where climate change is a real threat and where a lack of infrastructure such as reliable access to electricity and facilities to maintain a cold chain, can be a real challenge. Furthermore, small-scale fisheries compete for often scarce resources and they generally feel left behind by decision-makers and markets that don’t provide them with equal opportunities to compete,” IPNLF said. “As awareness of the social and environmental benefits associated with one-by-one tuna fisheries continue to rise, so too does the global demand for tuna products. This in turn is creating real opportunities to focus on concrete action to support global tuna fisheries and their sustainability.” 

According to Indonesia Director of Fisheries Resources Management Ridwan Mulyana, the declaration underpins the key role small-scale fisheries will play in the country’s “blue transformation” economic plan. He called for the integration of new technologies into Indonesia’s small-scale tuna fisheries to make them more competitive globally and progress them towards more climate-friendly practices.

“I believe that with our collective commitment and all parties united; the central government, provincial government, tuna stakeholders and NGOs, we can achieve our goals for sustainability of tuna resources management and tuna fisheries business in Indonesia,” Mulyana said.

Adjacent to the agreement, the IPNLF and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ Indonesia) are backing an off-grid solar photovoltaic powered ice-making facility currently being constructed in Kawa Village, Seram Bagian Barat, Maluku, Indonesia.

The project was chosen in July 2022 by the United Nations Development Program out of 300 proposals as the winner of its Ocean Innovation Challenge to promote sustainable fisheries and the blue economy.

“The solar ice maker is a new technology which can produce an industrial standard of ice through an entirely off-grid system. More importantly, these new, cutting-edge solar power ice makers are relying on thermal energy storage (instead of batteries) thus do not rely on battery replacement, one of the biggest costs currently associated with solar ice machines,” IPNLF said in a press release. “This innovation project aims to deliver transformational change by deploying 100 percent carbon free solar-powered ice-making machines in remote fishing communities in East Indonesia that produce quality yellowfin tuna intended for high-value markets. This initiative, combined with upskilling fishers to improve handling practices, cold chain protocols, financial literacy, and asset management, will ultimately enhance livelihoods in a climate-friendly manner.”

Photo courtesy of IPNLF