Where does your tuna come from?

Your tuna was caught around the Bacaan and neighbouring Obi Islands in North Maluku by fishermen who fish in the Molucca seas in Eastern Indonesia.

How was your tuna caught?

Your tuna was caught by one of the dozens of handline fishermen that live on Obi and Bacan Islands. Fishermen live with their families in small coastal communities, usually located close to their fishing grounds. Handline fishermen on Obi and Bacan Islands catch Yellowfin tuna using small single-handed boats that go out to sea for 1 day at a time. Fishermen travel out to sea in groups and locate tuna schools using natural cues such as dolphins or birds, as tuna naturally associate with these. Fishermen then use highly selective handline gear: one man, one line, one hook, one tuna. An average daily catch usually consists of 1 to 3 fish.

Fair Trade USA Certification

Obi and Bacan fishermen became Fair Trade USA certified in July 2017 with 4 fishermen associations currently part of the Fair Trade USA program. By being Fair Trade certified, fishermen receive a more equitable income through a community Fair Trade premium fund which they re-invest into their communities and local ocean conservation projects.

Find out how the Fair Trade standard has impacted the fishing community on Buru Island below.

Fishery Improvement Project

Through its Fishing & Living program, Anova Food is supporting improvements in the Indonesian Handline tuna fishery in many different locations across Indonesia. In partnership with NGOs such as MDPI and the Indonesian government, Fishing & Living is engaged in the Indonesian Handline tuna Fishery Improvement Project (FIP) that aims for Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification. Fishing & Living is also focused on improving the well being of the fishermen and their communities through community projects.