Southeast Asia · Case study

AP2HI Indonesian Tuna Fisheries: North Sulawesi, North Maluku, Banda Sea and Flores

Indonesian Pole-and-Line and Handline Fisheries Association (AP2HI) with vessels based in North Sulawesi, North Maluku, the Banda Sea and East and West Flores, Indonesia.Eight Indonesian one by one tuna fisheries were certified to the MSC Fisheries Standard in January 2021, with the Western and Central Pacific archipelagic pole and line and handline skipjack and yellowfin tuna fishery becoming the third Indonesian tuna fishery to receive MSC certification in January 2021 (Marine Stewardship Council, 2021).

Summary:

The eight MSC certified fisheries cover 307 handline and 73 pole and line vessels operating across the Western and Central Pacific, delivering into landing ports along the Indonesian archipelago.

The certification applies to skipjack (Katsuwonus pelamis) and yellowfin (Thunnus albacares) tuna and was supported by the International Pole and Line Foundation and Indonesia's Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries. Nine AP2HI member companies are involved in the certified supply chains (Marine Stewardship Council, 2021; SeafoodSource, 2021; International Pole and Line Foundation, 2021).

The certification pathway followed a Fishery Improvement Project (FIP) that members had taken part in since 2014, with the MSC assessment undertaken by Global Trust Certification. The certified tuna is sold to export markets, in particular the United States and Europe. The case demonstrates how small scale, selective fisheries can meet MSC requirements when supported by a credible industry association and structured partnerships.

Costs to the fisheries include the Fishery Improvement Project investment and the annual MSC surveillance audit cycle. Support came in part from IPNLF and the MSC Fish for Good initiative.

Transferability:

AP2HI shows that small-scale fisheries in Southeast Asia can achieve MSC certification when an industry association coordinates members and partners. DMC fisheries can start with a Fishery Improvement Project to close gaps before full assessment, with support from government agencies and non-government organizations. Landing ports can support Chain of Custody and traceability so the value of certification carries through to export markets.

Sources

All information used for this case study was based on publicly available resources.