News

Towards Full-Chain Consumer-Facing Traceability in
Indonesia's Tuna Supply Chains

Much of the fish and seafood you eat is likely caught outside of Canada. Though considered a fishing nation, Canada import's almost as much fish as it exports. 

In fact, most tuna we see on restaurant menus and store shelves, and in store freezers, originates from the Western and Central Pacific Ocean. In that region, Indonesia is one of the world’s largest tuna producing countries. Data provision and management regarding seafood traceability in this area remain limited, even as the international community calls for increasing environmental disclosure and reduction of illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing (IUU).

Dr. Megan Bailey of the Marine Affairs Program has conducted field work with fish harvesters, middlemen and processors in the Indonesian province of Molucca, where the world’s first Fair Trade USA fishery is. The Dutch-funded project seeks to understand how full-chain consumer-facing seafood traceability can help incentivize improved tuna fisheries management in Indonesia, and improve the market position of Indonesian tuna fish harvesters.

Bailey has recently returned to Dalhousie. The following photo essay shares her experience.