Saving Seafood

National-level fishery improvement project launched in Indonesia

January 29, 2020 — The following was released by the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership:

Sustainable Fisheries Partnership (SFP) is pleased to announce the official launching of an industry-led national-level fishery improvement project (FIP) covering longline tuna in Indonesia. The FIP is listed on the Fishery Progress website as the Indonesia Indian Ocean and Western Central Pacific Ocean tuna – longline FIP.

The comprehensive FIP is being implemented by the Indonesia Longline Tuna Association (ATLI). The scope of the FIP includes:

  • Albacore, yellowfin, and bigeye longline fisheries in the Indian Ocean, within the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of Indonesia and international waters
  • Yellowfin and bigeye longline fisheries in the Western Central Pacific Ocean, within the archipelagic waters and EEZ, as well as on the high seas.

A total of 14 companies, consisting of fishing companies and processors and ATLI, signed a letter of commitment at the recent FIP launch meeting, which took place at the ATLI Secretariat in Benoa Harbour, Bali, Indonesia, on January 23, 2020. The launch was also attended by the navy commander of Bali Province, representatives from the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, the quarantine office of Bali, and ATLI members.

The FIP’s goals include four key areas of focus:

  • Improve data collection on catch and bycatch and improve fishing practices
  • Increase onboard observer coverage in the fleet
  • Strengthen the decision-making process for research, monitoring, and evaluations of the fishery
  • Achieve MSC certification.

”Indonesia is a leading producer of tuna, and implementing this national-level FIP, involving more than 250 longline vessels, can make a global impact in increasing the proportion of  shelf-stable and fresh and frozen tuna from well-managed sources,” said Dessy Anggraeni, director of SFP’s Indonesia FIP work.

Members of the Global Fresh and Frozen Tuna Supply Chain Roundtable (SR) are lending their support to the project and 13 SR members have signed a letter expressing their support for development of this FIP.

Dwi Agus Siswa Putra, chairman of ATLI, said, “We are committed to implement the improvement actions listed in the workplan of the longline tuna fishery improvement project, and hope to move towards MSC certification. Furthermore, we strive to make the Indonesia longline tuna regain its position as a prominent product from Indonesia, that is sustainable and that will make all of us proud.”

EDITOR’S NOTE: You can read more about the FIP on the Fishery Progress website here.

Bumble Bee, FCF partner on albacore improvement projects

January 17, 2019 — Bumble Bee Foods and Taiwanese trader Fong Chun Formosa Fishery Company (FCF) are to partner with Ocean Outcomes on an initiative to improve fishing practices of the albacore longline tuna fisheries in the Indian Ocean and Western and Central Pacific Ocean, from which Bumble Bee sources.

“As we procure a significant amount of albacore tuna annually to meet demand for our products, we are in a unique position to help ensure the long term sustainability of longline albacore fisheries,” said Mike Kraft, vice president for sustainability at Bumble Bee.

“All of that tuna comes from healthy stocks. This initiative will launch two fishery improvement projects (FIPs) to help ensure those stocks remain healthy, while working to close identified gaps between current fishery operations and other MSC [Marine Stewardship Council] principles.”

A positive transformation of tuna management and tuna fishing practices is gaining momentum, especially in the purse seine sector — but not all harvesting sectors are as far along, the firms said.

Recent catch sector engagement initiatives – such as the Global FIP Alliance for Sustainable Tuna (GFAST) – have made progress in addressing the challenges of international management of tuna fisheries, but there is clearly an opportunity to increase participation from Northeast Asian longline fleets, they added.

Read the full story at Undercurrent News

Bumble Bee Foods, LLC and FCF Partner with Ocean Outcomes to Improve Longline Tuna Fisheries

January 15, 2019 — The following was released by Bumble Bee Foods, LLC, FCF Fishery Company, Ltd., and Ocean Outcomes:

Bumble Bee Foods, LLC, FCF Fishery Company, Ltd., and Ocean Outcomes have announced a major initiative to improve fishing practices of the albacore longline tuna fisheries in the Indian Ocean and Western and Central Pacific Ocean from which Bumble Bee sources.

“As we procure a significant amount of albacore tuna annually to meet demand for our products, we are in a unique position to help ensure the long term sustainability of longline albacore fisheries,” said Mike Kraft, Vice President, Sustainability at Bumble Bee. “All of that tuna comes from healthy stocks. This initiative will launch two Fishery Improvement Projects (FIPs) to help ensure those stocks remain healthy, while working to close identified gaps between current fishery operations and other MSC principles.”

A positive transformation of tuna management and tuna fishing practices is gaining momentum, especially in the purse seine sector, but not all harvesting sectors are as far along. Recent catch sector engagement initiatives – such as the Global FIP Alliance for Sustainable Tuna (GFAST) – have made progress in addressing the challenges of international management of tuna fisheries, but there is clearly an opportunity to increase participation from Northeast Asian longline fleets.

“This bold step by Bumble Bee, FCF and their supplying longline vessels blazes a trail for key tuna catchers to join the sustainable tuna movement,” said Daniel Suddaby, who is leading the project for Ocean Outcomes.

Bumble Bee sources its albacore tuna through FCF, a Taiwanese-founded company that works closely with fishing vessels. FCF, a partner in the initiative, will work with their associated longline fleets towards improved fishing practices.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for FCF to proactively engage the hundreds of tuna vessels we work closely with on a journey towards global best practices,” said Fong Lee, Sustainability Officer at FCF.

“We know sustainable tuna fisheries require robust harvest strategies. And we know transparent monitoring of fishery impacts is critical for addressing any negative effects on surrounding ecosystems. These FIPs will work towards both those goals,” said Suddaby.

As a next step in the initiative, project partners are formalizing both the Indian Ocean Albacore Tuna Longline FIP and the South Pacific Albacore and Yellowfin Tuna Longline FIP. As part of that process they are developing FIP workplans and recruiting FIP participants.

Bumble Bee Foods, LLC, headquartered in San Diego, is North America’s largest branded shelf-stable seafood company, offering a full line of canned and pouched tuna, salmon, sardine and specialty protein products marketed in the U.S. under leading brands including Bumble Bee®, Brunswick®, Snow’s®, Wild Selections® and Beach Cliff®, and in Canada under the Clover Leaf® brand. Bumble Bee’s mission is to provide healthy and nutritious products and meal solutions that are sourced sustainably. The company actively promotes the responsible stewardship of global fisheries resources and is a founder of the International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF)—a global partnership of scientists, tuna processors and WWF, the global conservation organization.

FCF Fishery Company, Ltd. (FCF) is one of the world’s largest marine products integrated supply chain service provider companies specializing in tuna. An industry leader in sustainability and traceability, and FAD-free fishing policy, FCF works closely with governments and non-governing organizations to ensure the environmental sustainability of tuna stock and marine life products around the globe.

Ocean Outcomes (O2) is an international organization which works with local communities, fisheries, and the seafood industry to improve the environmental, social, and economic sustainability of fisheries and aquaculture operations.