November 2013

Fairtrade Coffee Farmer shares Fairtrade success with fishermen involving in the development phase of the Fairtrade Capture Fisheries Standard pilot project

Fishing & Living has utilized a co-operative leader from a successfully operating Fairtrade International coffee farm from Flores to socialize the benefits, successes, implementation processes and possible obstacles which are associated with Fairtrade product certification to the fishermen of West Ambon, who will involve in the pilot project for Fairtrade Yellowfin tuna. Mr. Bonevasius told the gathered fishermen about the procedures he has implemented and what benefits the Fairtrade system has brought to his farmers. The coffee farmers now have stronger more reliable supply chains and have been able to invest in good machinery for harvesting and roasting which makes their systems more efficient and their product more valuable, thus improving their income.

From this workshop the fishermen involving in the Fairtrade USA pilot project for capture fisheries are makes steps towards understanding the steps they need to fulfill, the commitment they must have to the process and the responsibility they must take on with regards to maintaining the sustainability of the stock they are fishing on. The 6 year Fairtrade USA certification process is focused on ensuring continued progress towards social and environmental improvement within the fishery and its associated supply chains.