Pole and line fishermen on the boat in Bitung, Indonesia.
Maumere and Bitung, Indonesia
Fair Trade tuna fisheries
With support from the Fish Tales Foundation, two small-scale pole-and-line tuna fisheries in Indonesia worked toward MSC and Fair Trade certification. Both fisheries have now proudly earned Fair Trade certification, strengthening sustainable practices and community livelihoods.
The Challenge
Small-scale tuna fisheries are essential to local communities in Bitung and Maumere, Indonesia. Fishermen rely on these fisheries for their livelihoods, while nearly everyone in the community is indirectly connected through processing or local services. Traditional pole-and-line fishing is highly sustainable, but small-scale fisheries face challenges in securing fair pay, safe working conditions, and access to markets that value sustainable and responsible practices.
Our Approach
Fish Tales Foundation worked closely with fishermen, factory workers, and local NGOs to achieve Fair Trade certification for both fisheries. The Bitung fishery successfully completed its initial audit in 2020 and has continued participating in the program since. In 2025, we expanded the initiative to Maumere, conducting the initial audit for the pole-and-line fishery there.
Fishing cooperation on Pemana Island. Maumere, Indonesia.
Making an impact
Certification ensures transparancy about wages, safe working conditions, and community-managed premium funds. In both locations, fishermen are organized in cooperatives, receive trainings on safety at sea, workers’ rights, and anti-discrimination. With the cooperatives, the fishermen decide collaboratively on projects to spend their premium on. This premium is payed by Fish Tales, for every KG of tuna the fishermen catch that is used in Fish Tales products. The premium projects are always benefitting the entire community, such as financing school supplies, providing food packages and life insurance for the fishermen. By combining sustainable fishing methods with fair trade principles, the fisheries deliver high-quality tuna while strengthening local communities.
Fishing families on Pemana Island. Maumere, Indonesia.
Next steps
The Fish Tales Foundation remains actively involved in both fisheries, supporting ongoing compliance with Fair Trade standards and promoting continuous improvements. Future focus areas include expanding community development initiatives with the premium projects and keep giving trainings and support to further enhance safety on board and healthy communities.
The crew of the Lestari and Irene Fish Tales Foundation. Maumere, Indonesia.
Our partners
