Leading Indonesias Fair Trade Tuna Movement

Tuna fishers registered with Coral Triangle Processors in Haruo, Indonesia, have been Fair Trade Certified for seven years. Coral Triangle works closely with local fishing associations, while MDPI (Yayasan Masyarakat dan Perikanan Indonesia), an Indonesian nonprofit focused on sustainable fisheries, supports training, fisher organization, and community development. Together, they strengthen handline fishing practices and help fishing communities actively participate in decisions that benefit both their livelihoods and marine resources. Through regular needs assessments and group discussions, Fair Trade fisher groups identified support for fisher families and environmental programs as top priorities. Members collectively decide how Community Development Funds are used, with key decisions made through joint meetings. In some fishing associations, members take turns serving as administrators, broadening participation in leadership and decision-making. Over the years, fishers have directed Community Development Funds toward projects that improve fishing operations, create new economic opportunities, and strengthen their communities. Yuman Sangaji, leader of Darah Tuna, one of the fishing associations registered with Coral Triangle, recalled that members were initially uncertain when the group was established in 2015. As projects began to take shape, fishers started to recognize the value of working together through Fair Trade. "Before we joined the Fair Trade group, we were just regular fishers. We didn't really receive any benefits. Not like we do now." Community Development Funds helped fishers purchase tools needed to maintain fish freshness and improve handling quality after each catch. Members also invested in GPS equipment that improved navigation and cut fuel consumption during fishing trips. As La Ode Nur Ali explained, "Before we joined Fair Trade, we wasted a lot of fuel. But after joining, we got GPS support from Community Development Funds." Fair Trade has provided a platform for fishers to organize, strengthen their associations, and collectively invest in projects that create lasting value for their communities. One of the most significant outcomes was a community-owned mini processing plant that handles locally caught tuna before export. This allows more of the value from the tuna supply chain to remain within the fishing community itself. "Now the value comes back to us, because we run our own mini plant," said La Ode Nur Ali. Community Development Funds have also supported environmental activities, donations to the local mosque, and fishing logbook systems that contribute to responsible fisheries management. Taken together, these investments reflect what becomes possible when fishing communities have the resources and structure to direct change on their own terms.