Where does your tuna come from?

Ternate is both a city and an island in North Maluku located just off the west coast of the much larger island of Halmahera. Ternate is the largest and most densely populated city in the province and therefore represents the economic, cultural and education center of the area. Historically, it was the capital of a powerful kingdom involved in the spice trade and became a main interest to the competing European powers.

Fishermen here live with their families in small coastal communities and will travel as far as 150km out anywhere in the Molluca sea in search for tuna.

How was your tuna caught?

Handline fishermen in North Maluku 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

Ternate fishermen are Fair Trade USA certified. 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 in Buru 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.