West Ambon, Moluccas

The Fairtrade USA draft capture fisheries standard is currently under development with research, discussion and learnings from the field  all being integrated into a standard which aims to provide access to the Fairtrade market for many small scale fishers with the view to empowering these communities through economic development and increased levels of social responsibility, while ensuring that this process is always in line with the environmental stewardship required to protect biodiversity and maintain healthy and viable stocks.

Fishing & Living has just hosted a Fairtrade USA team visit to 2 communities in which we have already begun implementation of the draft FT standard as a pilot program. The visit involved information gathering on the supply chain, on the health of the stock, on current resource management aspects as well as understanding the social components relevant to Fairtrade in fishing communities as compared to the normal farming communities with whom Fairtrade usually interacts. Progress by the Fishing & Living team includes formation of fisher associations, aiding in the development of a co-management system for the wider region and general community awareness on the benefits of sustainability, social improvement and the Fairtrade approach.

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This November the Fishing & Living team has poured immense efforts into the formation of fisher associations, specifically in our data collection sites in the Moluccas. The small scale tuna fishermen are such an important stakeholder of the fishery on a local and regional scale but very often they do not get the opportunity to become involved in decisions made on the management of the resource. Fishing & Living is encouraging the fishermen to form fisher associations which help the fishers to create a voice with which they can approach the government.

A meeting was held and facilitated by F&L staff in west Ambon, attended by 50 fishermen, all of whom committed their willingness to participate in fisher associations, one association per village of origin. These fisher associations will also lay the basis for implementation of the first pilot program of the Fairtrade USA Capture Fisheries standard.  This pilot project is an important step in the ongoing development of the FT USA capture fisheries standard.

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Fairtrade Coffee Farmer shares Fairtrade success with fishermen involving in the development phase of the Fairtrade Capture Fisheries Standard pilot project

Fishing & Living has utilized a co-operative leader from a successfully operating Fairtrade International coffee farm from Flores to socialize the benefits, successes, implementation processes and possible obstacles which are associated with Fairtrade product certification to the fishermen of West Ambon, who will involve in the pilot project for Fairtrade Yellowfin tuna. Mr. Bonevasius told the gathered fishermen about the procedures he has implemented and what benefits the Fairtrade system has brought to his farmers. The coffee farmers now have stronger more reliable supply chains and have been able to invest in good machinery for harvesting and roasting which makes their systems more efficient and their product more valuable, thus improving their income.

From this workshop the fishermen involving in the Fairtrade USA pilot project for capture fisheries are makes steps towards understanding the steps they need to fulfill, the commitment they must have to the process and the responsibility they must take on with regards to maintaining the sustainability of the stock they are fishing on. The 6 year Fairtrade USA certification process is focused on ensuring continued progress towards social and environmental improvement within the fishery and its associated supply chains.

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On 13-14^th December, the Fishing and Living team facilitated the forming of a fishermen’s group in our Fairtrade pilot site in West Ambon, Maluku. The group was formed by 23 fishermen originating from three neighboring villages. All of the fishermen involved work under the same supplier, hence this is the main requirement for entry to the group, to be a supplying fisherman to Pak Nyong Chan, the largest local supplier of Yellowfin tuna in the above mentioned site.

On 13^th December 2013, the participants of the initial gathering succeeded in establishing the structure of the proposed group. A group leader/ head, a secretary, a treasure and also a coordinator for each of the  three different villages were elected. On day 2, the 14^th December 2013, the internal rules and statues of the group were discussed. Thus, at the end of day 2, it was not only a fishermen group formed, but the structure and the statues were also established and agreed.

The fisher groups or associations are intended to form the basis of the implementation of the  Fairtrade USA capture fisheries standard, by allowing these groups to make collaborative and informed decisions about their fishery and by ensuring that these groups, through a transparent system may make decisions on how this project can benefit and develop their communities through using an investment generated by a Fairtrade premium.

The West Ambon fishermen hope that the group that they have just developed will work towards benefitting each other by developing themselves and hence it will work towards sustaining their livelihood. In the spirit of the event they have named their group “Tuna Lestari” or “the Sustainable Tuna” mirroring their  hope of harvesting sustainable tuna for a long time into the future.

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How much impact does the Fairtrade Certification have on fishermen communities? Wageningen intern Mariette, with MDPI field staff begin implementation of a baseline study

Recently, some 150 Moluccas fishermen decided to participate in the “Fair Trade Certification of Capture Fisheries” program, a new pilot fisheries program in 2 of the MDPI data collection sites on Ambon and Buru islands. These Fair Trade (FT) registered fishermen have formed fisher associations, and committed themselves to work according to Fairtrade standards so they can hopefully start selling FT certified Yellowfin tuna from June this year onwards. The implementation of the pilot program is being supported and funded through FairTrade and Anova Fishing & Living.

The main goal of this new Capture Fisheries Standard (CFS) program is to improve the livelihood of small scale fishermen. In order to assess the impact of the program in the long run, to the fishing communities, FT-USA  has requested the MDPI staff to compile a baseline study, also in order to measure the baseline of livelihood at the beginning of this CFS program.

The study will be conducted in phases from April until June, before the FairTrade-USA commissioned independent auditing team comes to the Moluccas to do the first hand-line caught Yellow Fin Tuna audit to this group of fishermen certified.

According to the principles of a participatory baseline study, MDPI staff discussed several issues together with the FT registered fishermen, among others the Key Performance Indicators, pieces of information on what to measure in order to be able to measure the impact ‘improvement of livelihoods’. Most interaction to date for this baseline study has been through focus group discussions. Phase 2 will constitute a wide reaching community interview/questionnaire including calculating the local poverty index of the community, throughout the certification process. Does FT and the empowernment work of MDPI have the potential to improve the lives of these Moluccan small scale fishers? We sure hope so!

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(c) FairTade USA/Paul Hilton

In October 2014, 8 fishermen associations became certified against the first FairTrade Wild Capture Fisheries standard. Since August 2013, Fishing & Living, MDPI, Anova USA, Fair Trade USA and, of course, the fishermen, have been working continuously to bring the Central Maluku Yellowfin tuna fishery to FairTrade certification. It has not been an easy journey but it has certainly been a worthwhile one!

FairTrade’s goal is to see more resilient livelihoods in coastal communities, improved working and living conditions, increased supply and demand for responsibly sourced seafood, and enhanced environmental stewardship and ecosystem protection. The philosophy of FairTrade certification is directly in line with Fishing & Living’s vision that sustainable fisheries go hand in hand with thriving fishing communities.

What did it take to achieve FairTrade USA certification?

1. Development of the standard

Since 2012, FairTrade USA has been in conversations with fishing communities, marine conservation specialists, marine certification experts and market partners throughout the supply chain. These conversations and exchanges helped develop the FairTrade standard for capture fisheries. Each of the allies involved in the development and implementation. Anova/ Fishing & Living’s participation, as the one of the market partners has consisted in engaging its supply chain partners and providing feedback on the realities faced by fishing communities, ensuring that the fishermen and its community is at the center of the standard.

In May 2013, the FairTrade Fisheries Advisory Council (FAC) was elected to consult on the conservation, economic and applied aspects of the Fair Trade Fisheries program. The members can be viewed here.

2. Implementation: Fishermen Training and formation of fishermen associations

The implementation phase started in August 2013, when Asilulu (Ambon Island) was chosen as the first site and Coral Triangle Processors (CTP)/ Anova USA were designated as the Market Access Partner. A series of workshops took place, such as FairTrade certified farmers sharing their experience with the fishermen and the formation of 3 initial fishermen associations. From November 2013 to March 2014, fishermen from Buru Island were added to the FairTrade pilot and 5 fishermen associations were formed. Led by Momo Kochen, our partner NGO Masyarakat dan Perikanan Indonesia (MDPI) has been instrumental in carrying out trainings, organizing meetings among fishermen and preparing the Islands’ FairTrade Committees (FTC) for the first audit. A dedicated MDPI FairTrade team are based in each location.

Fair Trade Commitee- Buru Island

In both location (Buru Island and Asilulu) 2 Fair Trade Committees (FTC) were formed in April 2014. Each FTC consists of representatives of each fishermen association. It is the FTCs that receive the FairTrade premium and manage how it will be invested in community development projects as well as improvement of the sustainability of their fishery.

3. Audit

In June 2014, the Year 0 audit was carried out by SCS Global Services. The FairTrade standard uses a stepwise approach over a period of 5 years. This means that every year, the FairTrade fishermen groups will undergo an audit that requires continuous improvements of social, economic and environmental aspec

4. Certification

In October 2014, the two FTCs became FairTrade certified. Read here what it means to the fishermen and the hard-working team of MDPI!

5. The FairTrade Premium

December 2014-Buru Island Fair Trade Committee receives first Premium Fund check

In December 2014, the 2 FTCs received their first FairTrade premium checks. Coral Triangle Processor/Anova USA are the Market Access Partner. This means they are responsible for submitting the premium to the two Fair Trade Committees. The premium is defined by Fair Trade USA and consists of approximately 10% of the price at landing. Safeway, one of Fair Trade’s USA retail partner, will be the distributing the product to market.

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Last November, a small group of handline fishermen in Waepure, Buru Island obtained the first Fair Trade certification for wild capture fisheries in the world! Those involved in achieving this certification share their experiences with us.

Ahmad Sanduan: Chairman FairTrade fisherman group in Assilulu, Ambon Island, Maluku Province

Name:
Ahmad Sanduan
Age: 42
Engines: 1 GT
Length of ship:
8.5m/28ft
Ship Ownership: Private
Fishing gear used:
Hand line
Type of fish caught:
Yellowfin Tuna

“As a fisherman I am very proud of achieving the first Fair Trade certification for capture fisheries. I am grateful of MDPI’s and ANOVA’s support who introduced us to the Fair Trade program and helped us develop it for our community. In Assilulu, we never had a successful group of fishermen before the Fair Trade program. Our first attempt to form a group failed due to the absence of a facilitator and lack of proper management. We see the fair trade program as a great opportunity because in addition to FT premium, we are learning to organize ourselves professionally and independently. The Fair Trade program will help us develop our community by giving us the means to develop and invest in projects that aim to reduce poverty and protect the environment. For instance, ban on destructive fishing methods, ban on the capture of protected animals, transparent fish trade, ban on child labor, improved fish preservation techniques to get the best return and many more will be undertaken to improve the lives of fishermen and the environment.”

Ufu: MDPI Field Site Manager in Assilulu, Ambon Island, Maluku Province

“My responsibility is to manage all MDPI field activities such as data collection, Fair Trade, IFFIT (Traceability), and community development projects. Every month I make a work plan and schedule for each activity. I am proud to have been given this important responsibility: the work is exciting and fulfilling, with each activity having different challenges. For instance, the level of education of fishermen varies greatly with some being completely illiterate. My job involves dealing with individual characters and working with fishermen whose knowledge is limited to what they experience at sea. This presents challenges as we try to introduce scientific data and concepts on how the fishery works. My job also consists in building trusting relationships with fishermen and motivate them to take the necessary steps such as forming fishermen groups. I want to tell them that through the Fair Trade program fisherman can no longer be the poorest profession in Indonesia.”

“From the beginning, Fair Trade was a challenge but I saw it as great opportunity to realize the ideals of poor fishing communities. Fishermen have a strong desire to be able to live in prosperity and therefore my top priority is to, through the Fair Trade program, give them the means and knowledge to do so. I believe that the Fair Trade is exactly what they need with its three principles: economic, social and environmental.”

Toni Mirawijaya: Local fish trader in Waepure, Buru Island

Pak Toni was thrilled when he heard the news that the fishermen of Waepure got the Fair Trade certification. “My first reaction was to invite head of Waepure village and all fair trade fishermen to meet and celebrate the wonderful news. I truly believe that the FairTrade program will help us, all fishermen and the people of Waepure to realize our dreams for improving our communities”. With Fair Trade certification, his dream has come true. “I am extremely proud of our fishermen”.

FairTrade is a people based certification model that, at the same time, support environmental fisheries improvements. FairTrade certification covers 6 aspects:

1)      Structures must be in place to ensure fair business practices (Fisher Association, Fair Trade committee and a Market Access Partner)

2)      Empowerment: conduct meetings of the Fishers association, establish bank account and democratic management of the FairTrade premiums

3)      Economic development: fishermen are paid a share of the catch, conditions of employment comply with the FairTrade standard and fishers receive a premium (1-10% on top of the regular price)

4)      Social responsibility: no bonded labor, no child labor, occupational health & safety et.

5)      Resource management: biodiversity protection, overfishing, scientific data collection on fish stocks, waste management etc.

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Since certification was announced for 4 Fishers Associations last October, our Fair Trade team has been busy working closely with the fishermen and suppliers to implement continuous improvements, as part of the Fair Trade program.

New Fishers Associations

Since December 2014, six new Fishermen Associations were formed in North Buru Island and 7 fishers associations were formed in South Buru Islands. Each new association will have a representative in the Buru Fair Trade Committee, formed in June 2014.  The Buru Fair Trade Committee will then represent 14 Fishermen Associations and 261 fishermen.

Fishermen based on the island of Seram have also been added to the program, with the formation of 3 fishermen associations in April 2015.

A workshop was conducted in Toli-Toli (North Sulawesi) to introduce the Fair Trade program to local fishermen and suppliers. Local government representatives were also present and expressed their support to the program. Learn more about the workshop here.

The addition of these new fishermen associations adds 306 fishermen to the Fair Trade program bringing the total number of fishermen in the program to 410.

Map of Fair Trade sites
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Premiums

The first premiums were received by both Fair Trade committees: Assilulu and Buru Fair Trade Committees. After the low fishing season, from November to March, fishermen have just started going out to sea in March and will continue receiving the Fair Trade premium throughout the fishing season. To learn more about how the Fair Trade premium works click here.

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The Fair Trade fisheries program aims to promote resilient livelihoods in coastal communities through enhanced environmental stewardship, ecosystem protection and improved working and living conditions. Therefore, one of the criteria under the Fair Trade Standard for Wild Capture Fisheries requires Health & Safety Measures to be in place for fishermen and landing site staff.

“Work processes, workplaces (including vessels, docks, landing sites), machinery and equipment, and worker transportation are as safe as possible, and equipped with adequate safety devices”.(SR-OH 1.1, Fair Trade Wild Capture Fisheries Standard, 2013).

In order to idenfity the needed improvements to meet this important requirement, MDPI (Anova Fishing & Living initative’s partner NGO in Indonesia) conducted a comprehensive risk assessment of all Fair Trade landing sites (1 on North Buru Island and 3 in Assilulu (Ambon Island)).

The results show that upgrading the receiving stations where Fair Trade tuna is landed and processed would improve the Health & Safety of fishermen and receiving station employees as well as handling of tuna products.

In response to MDPI’s findings, Anova’s Fishing & Living initative has partnered with local suppliers and provided funding to renovate receiving stations in North Buru and Ambon Islands in order to ensure the safety of workers and improve the handling of tuna products.

This project is expected to:

1)      Significantly improve the working conditions of workers in the receiving station;

2)      Improve the quality of tuna products caught by Fair Trade fishermen by reducing the contamination risks of tuna products, meaning more Fair Trade tuna reaching the market and additional revenue for the Fair Trade certified fishermen

3)      Improve compliance with the Fair Trade standard for wild fisheries

The construction of the 4 receiving stations has already started and is expected to be finalized in July 2015.

Map of Fair Trade Fishers Associations

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Following their official certification in January 2016, the 5 fishermen associations from Seram, Indonesia, received their first Fair Trade premium check.   The 5 fishermen associations consist of 125 fishermen who catch Yellowfin tuna from small single-handed vessels using handline gear and conducting 1 day fishing trips. The Yellowfin is then sold to an Indonesian processor and imported by Anova in the U.S. market. When consumers buy Fair Trade tuna product, the fishermen associations receive a fixed premium (10% extra of the dock price) which they can spend towards improvements of their community. With their first premium check, the fishermen associations in Seram have been discussing programs which they would like to fund. These include clean water infrastructure, waste management and recycling, GPS units for the fishermen and data collection on Endangered, Threatened and Protected Species.

Since Fair Trade USA released the first Fair Trade standard for wild capture fisheries in 2014, Anova, in cooperation with its partner NGO in Indonesia (Masyarakat Dan Perikanan Indonesia- MDPI) has supported the implementation of this standard for small-scale handline tuna fisheries. To date over 500 fishermen have entered the program and are receiving Fair Trade premium funds for their responsible fishing practices and the support they provide to their communities.  The standards aims to address 6 areas 1) Fishermen organization 2) Empowerment and Community Development 3) Human rights 4) Fair wages and good working conditions 5) Environmental management and 6) Transparent supply chains.

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