Where does you tuna come from?
Seram is the largest island in the Maluku chain, with the F&L sites located on the southern coast, approximately two hours from Masohi port. The majority of the sites are nestled in Taluti Bay, with Mount Binaiya towering impressively in the background. The famous Manusela national park is located just north of Binaiya. The houses are colourful, with plenty of goats and chickens wandering around the villages. Various nuts and spices can be seen drying on sheets in the streets, similar to other islands in Maluku, with the area also commonly known as the Spice Islands.
How is your tuna caught?
The Seram Island handline Yellowfin tuna fishery consists of small single-handed boats that go out to sea for 1 day at a time. The handline fishermen on Seram Island became Fair Trade certified in March of 2015. The fishermen are distributed in 6 different villages on the North and South coasts of the island. Fishermen travel out to sea in groups and locate tuna schools using natural cues such as dolphins or birds, as school of tuna naturally associate with these. Fishermen use highly selective handline gear: one line, one hook, one tuna. The average daily catch usually consists of 1 to 3 large tuna and smaller other fish for the local market.
A fisherman pulls Tuna fish caught by hand-line in the Buru Sea, Maluku Province. People in Buru Island have used this traditional fishing method since the 16th century. Photo credit: Oscar Siagian/Greenpeace
Fair Trade Certification
The handline fishermen on Seram Island became Fair Trade certified in March of 2015. By being Fair Trade certified, fishermen receive a more equitable income through a community Fair Trade premium fund which they can 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
Seram Island fishermen are part of the Fishery Improvement Project (FIP) for the Indonesia handline tuna fishery. The FIP started in 2010 and is aiming for MSC certification. With a field team of 3 sustainability facilitators, F&L supports community and sustainability projects such as ocean awareness programs, beach clean ups, recycling programs, safety-at-sea and data collection.