Pole and line fishing. Maumere, Indonesia.
Bitung and Maumere, Indonesia
Improving tuna welfare
The Fish Tales Foundation is pioneering to make tuna fisheries more humane. With our project partners, we are developing the first practical method for humane killing of skipjack tuna in pole-and-line fisheries, alongside other measures to reduce stress and improve overall tuna welfare.
The Challenge
Unlike livestock farming, there are almost no rules or standards for fish welfare in wild capture fisheries. This means that in commercial fishing, methods to reduce stress during capture and fish handling are generally not applied. The same applies for tuna fisheries, we simply don’t know yet how to catch and handle tuna with the least amount of stress.
Fishing with pole and line in Bitung, Indonesia.
Our Approach
The Fish Tales Foundation is pioneering to develop the first humane killing method for skipjack tuna in pole-and-line fisheries. Together with specialized researchers from Wageningen Livestock Research and the Catch Welfare Platform, we are designing and testing a device that allows tuna to be killed quickly and with the least stress, while remaining safe and practical for the crew to use. We will perform scientific testing in the lab and at sea. Alongside this device, we also explore other welfare improvements on board, such as softer landings for tuna when they are brought onto the vessel. The device and other improvements will be tested on board the vessels of the Fair Trade certified fisheries in Indonesia.
Cooking on board. Bitung, Indonesia.
Making an Impact
This project has the potential to create a breakthrough in fish welfare, starting with skipjack tuna and eventually extending to other tuna species and fisheries worldwide. By introducing humane practices into daily fishing operations, we not only improve welfare standards for fish but also study it’s impact for the crew and product quality. Importantly, the project creates awareness that fish welfare is an topic to take seriously in the future of commercial fishing.
Skipjack tuna caught by The Lestari. Maumere, Indonesia.
Next Steps
Once the method is successfully tested and implemented, we will develop a roadmap to help other tuna fisheries adopt similar practices. This way, the Fish Tales Foundation together with the Catch Welfare Platform aims to set a first step in improving catch welfare in commercial fisheries. We are still working to have all resources ready to kickstart this project. Once this is secured, we can start the project activities.
Captain Karim looking for tuna. Maumere, Indonesia.
- who we work with -