Anova Food-created NGO MDPI empowering local tuna fishers in Indonesia

MDPI, a Bali, Indonesia-based NGO that empowers coastal communities to carry out and maintain sustainable practices, has created a unique approach to working with small-scale fishers it says is paying off for both fishing communities and international supply chains.The organization started as a corporate social responsibility program of the Netherlands-based seafood firm Anova Food in 2013. Anova saw potential in working with small-scale fishers to ensure a steady supply of quality, sustainably sourced yellowfin tuna while simultaneously contributing to the management of the resource.However, Anova soon realized improving fisheries practices in Indonesia was a daunting task, with few leverage points to drive real change.“Around 90 percent of the fishers in Indonesia are small-scale fishers, and the government does not collect any taxes from the fishers. The fishery also has low requirements for licensing and registration in an effort to reduce administrative burdens on the ...