The IPNLF has warned that improvements must be made to traditional fisheries practices to ensure the growing demand for pole-and-line tuna can be met without compromising sustainability.
Dr Shiham Adam, a founding member of the International Pole & Line Foundation (IPNLF), spoke on the opening day of the INFOFISH World Tuna and Trade Conference in Bangkok (23-25 May). He stressed that pole-and-line tuna fishing is vital to many disadvantaged rural areas, including several in the Maldives, because it generates a fair income and alleviates poverty within fishing communities.
Dr Adam said, “Pole-and-line tuna fishing is an activity that can give a decent standard of living to many families in the outer islands.”
Dr Adam told the INFOFISH conference that the global tuna industry is undergoing a period of rapid transformation and he applauded the efforts of those retailers and major brands that have so far made commitments to procuring sustainably and equitably caught pole-and-line tuna. However, he said that every care needs to be taken to correctly nurture these fisheries to make sure they can move forwards by improving their efficiency and productivity.
“Our mission is to improve the standard of living for socially and economically disadvantaged fishing communities around the world. We aim to use the market as a trigger, to promote and foster the benefits of sustainably sourced pole-and-line tuna. We will channel our resources to support pole-and-line fisheries to get market access, improve post harvest and quality control, and eventually increase environmental performance of these fisheries so that they may qualify to be sustainably and environmentally certified.
“It’s a sad fact that many pole-and-line fishermen’s livelihoods are now at risk but the Foundation has identified that end markets could act as lifelines by preventing further marginalisation of small scale fishing communities. The IPNLF is therefore encouraging buyers to implement long-term contracts, facilitate capacity building, knowledge and business literacy transfer. The Foundation is committed to ‘greening’ fishery activities; such as finding ways to improve fuel use intensity and minimising waste. We will also conduct further research into understanding the issues with livebait fisheries, and work with governments and communities to identify areas of intervention, including supporting mariculture pilot projects and conducting trials on alternative sources of bait,” he said.
Dr Adam promised the tuna conference delegates that the Foundation will further engage in academia, research facilities and with RFMOs to help maximise and adapt and utilise the latest scientific recommendations. He also confirmed that a pole-and-line school is being established in the Maldives with support from the country’s government.
