USAID Oceans is partnering with IPNLF to introduce a catch documentation and traceability system that will support the sustainable management of artisanal coastal fisheries and deter illegal fishing.
The United States Agency for International Development’s Oceans and Fisheries Partnership (USAID Oceans) and the International Pole & Line Foundation (IPNLF) have embarked on a new collaboration to implement a catch documentation and traceability (CDT) system in Indonesia to support sustainable fisheries management and supply chain integrity.
Through the new partnership, USAID Oceans is working closely with IPNLF, the Indonesian Pole & Line and Handline Fisheries Association (AP2HI), and the Indonesian Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (MMAF) to develop and implement a financially sustainable CDT system that will integrate with existing government and industry systems. IPNLF will engage its Members and networks to build awareness and support in key export markets for implementation of the CDT system and sustainable fisheries management in Indonesia. USAID Oceans and IPNLF are also working closely with Masyarakat dan Perikanan Indonesia (MDPI), a local Indonesian foundation, to develop an Indonesian Coastal Tuna Sustainability Alliance that will support the coordination and scaling of various traceability and sustainable fisheries management initiatives in Indonesia.
“Customers in key markets like the United States and the European Union are driving the demand for sustainable and fully traceable seafood products, which requires buyers to obtain robust data from their suppliers. Market acceptance therefore provides considerable incentive for fishing companies and processors to adopt strong traceability systems,” said Acting USAID Regional Development Mission for Asia Director Todd Sorenson.
“Our partnership with USAID Oceans is vital to ensure that we and our partner, AP2HI, can continue to make improvements in the traceability and sustainability of Indonesia’s coastal tuna fisheries,” said IPNLF managing director Martin Purves.
“By giving consumers greater confidence in the products that they are buying, the CDT system will provide invaluable support for the artisanal coastal fisheries we work with, enabling them to maintain their livelihoods and decent living standards while also safeguarding the long-term future of vital fish stocks and marine habitats.”
