Episode 5

Biodegradable Drifting FADs – A Tale of Sustainability in the Tuna Industry

with Marko Kamber

Marko Kamber is the CEO of the Caroline Fisheries Corporation (CFC). Born in Florida, with both parents having Serbian/Croatian background, Marko studied at the University of Hawaii completing undergraduate studies in Computer Information Systems, International Business (Trade and Finance) and acquired his Master’s in business administration. Later moving to Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia in 2007, Marko started working for the CFC as a fisherman and learning how commercial fishing works in the open ocean. The company was originally run by Marko’s father, Milan Kamber, and after some years of training on the ship and on the ground, Marko is now managing the company.

Caroline Fisheries Corporation

The Caroline Fisheries Corporation is based in Pohnpei, one of the four states of the Federated States of Micronesia. First owned by the State of Pohnpei, the CFC became a privately owned and operated company in 2006. One of their largest areas of focus in recent years has been on environmental and social responsibility – having received MSC certification in 2021. The CFC works with various NGOs and stakeholders for the development of biodegradable drifting Fish Aggregation Devices (FADs) and the continued progress in their social policies.

The Caroline Fisheries Corporation is mainly a purse seine tuna fishing company with shoreside support facilities for its own and other vessels. With a dock, warehouses, offices, and net repair yard facilities in place, they operate four purse seine vessels in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean for the abundant Skipjack, Yellowfin, and Bigeye species. Recently, the CFC has begun researching ways to create more sustainable drifting FADs.

GSSI and the Caroline Fisheries Corporation

Caroline Fisheries joined the GSSI Partnership in June 2022 in order to collaborate and share ideas around the sustainability of tuna resources.  The CFC is the first GSSI Partner from Micronesia – expanding the Global Partnership into a new corner of the world. Together GSSI and the CFC are working to promote sustainable fishing practices for generations to come through continuous dialogue and collaboration.

Marko, can you tell us a little about drifting Fish Aggregation Devices (FADs) and the initiative you have been spearheading?

Drifting Fish Aggregation Devices (FADs), are structures deployed in the ocean with the aim of attracting and aggregating fish. They are designed to float and move with ocean currents. They typically consist of a buoyant structure floating on the ocean surface, often tethered to the seafloor with a weighted anchor or left to drift freely. Fishermen use drifting FADs to concentrate fish in a specific area, making it easier to locate and catch them. The increased utilization of FADs in recent years has raised consistent concerns, primarily centered around the environmental repercussions caused by stranded structures, leading to harmful waste along regional coastlines.

We began working with the International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF) – motivated by a shared commitment to addressing these concerns. Presently, our ongoing partnership with ISSF, as well as SPC, involves extensive experimentation with various biodegradable materials suitable for FADs. In our initial trial phase, we employed manila rope for constructing nettings and ropes, only to encounter rapid failure due to the materials degrading too swiftly in challenging ocean conditions. Subsequently, our focus shifted to utilizing cotton canvas and cotton ropes without netting, resulting in significantly improved outcomes.

Biodegradable FAD workshop at the CFC compound in Pohnpei

How can the use of these FADs result in more sustainable tuna in the market?

The use of these FADs can contribute to the overall sustainability of tuna fisheries. A transition to exclusively biodegradable materials for FAD construction will result in lower environmental impacts on coastlines and the ocean. These materials can break down over time, reducing the risk of FADs becoming persistent marine debris. We firmly believe that by aligning with scientific stock assessments and embracing this approach, it offers a superior solution for our fishery. It underscores the collective responsibility of the entire industry to act as conscientious stewards of the environment. The use of biodegradable FADs can be integrated into a broader framework of sustainable fisheries management to result in more sustainable tuna in the market.

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It underscores the collective responsibility of the entire industry to act as conscientious stewards of the environment.

Can you elaborate on how sustainability projects, such as the drifting FAD project, have the potential to enhance social responsibility efforts?

Projects such as these have the potential to significantly enhance social responsibility efforts in various ways, particularly through education, training of crew, and by incorporating responsible practices throughout different phases of the project.

Education and Awareness:
- Crew Training: Integrating educational programs into the crew training process raises awareness about the environmental impact of traditional FAD materials and the benefits of using biodegradable alternatives.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Engaging with the local community fosters understanding and support for sustainable fishing practices.
Material Selection and Construction:
- Training on Biodegradable Materials: Specialized training to crews on the properties and handling of biodegradable materials used in FAD construction. This ensures proper utilization and maintenance, maximizing the effectiveness of the biodegradable components.
Monitoring and Data Collection:
- Crew Involvement in Monitoring: Engaging crew members in data collection efforts related to FAD performance and environmental impact. This involvement not only contributes valuable information but also fosters a sense of ownership and responsibility.
Post-Deployment Activities:
- Training on Retrieval and Decommissioning: Educating crews on the proper methods for retrieving and decommissioning biodegradable FADs. This includes best practices for recycling or disposing of materials in an environmentally friendly manner.
Continuous Improvement:
- Crew Involvement in Innovation: Encouraging crew members to contribute ideas for improving the sustainability of FAD projects. This collaborative approach fosters a sense of shared responsibility and a commitment to continuous improvement.

By integrating education and training throughout the different phases of a project, not only does it minimize environmental impact, but it also creates a socially responsible framework that empowers crews and communities to actively contribute to sustainable fisheries management. This holistic approach aligns economic goals with environmental and social responsibility, fostering a more balanced and resilient fishing industry.

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Thank you for sharing about your innovative project. Can you shine a light on why CFC decided to join the GSSI Partnership?

My introduction to GSSI came through a colleague in the industry, and upon exploring the impressive initiatives detailed on GSSI’s website, my interest was piqued. It became clear that I wanted to actively contribute to the collective endeavor of sharing and fostering sustainability ideas within the group. We are one of GSSI’s newest Partners and thus far, our experience has been positive. I commend the organization for its valued commitment to driving forward more sustainable seafood and I look forward to collaborating more moving forward.

Lastly, what do you find to be the most challenging aspect of the industry for purse seine fishing companies like yours?

Navigating the unpredictable waves of tuna prices remains a central challenge in our industry, requiring agile strategies to cope with the frequent shifts. The volatile nature of the market demands constant adaptability as we strive to balance production costs with fluctuating revenues. Adding to this complexity, the heightened costs of fuel, exacerbated by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, have cast an additional shadow on our operations. The geopolitical turmoil has contributed to a surge in fuel prices, escalating operational expenses and adding an extra layer of financial uncertainty. In tandem, the ripple effect of high global inflation further amplifies our ongoing challenges, necessitating a keen focus on cost management and operational efficiency.

Despite these formidable headwinds, our commitment to resilience and innovation remains intact. This commitment positions us to not only weather the current storm but also to emerge stronger and more adaptable in the face of the ever-evolving landscape of the tuna industry.

CeDePesca

Encourage good practices in small-scale fisheries through co-management.

CeDePesca are working on a confirmation of a Co-management Commission in Panama have begun data collection through voluntary logbooks by fishers.

It is an ongoing experience where we are discussing and resolving together how to recover the diminished resources that make our livelihoods. We really thank CeDePesca and Seafood MAP for their help on this process.

Ernesto Vargas

FENAPESCA (National Artisanal Fishers Federation)

The Philippines and Indonesia - Asian Seafood Improvement Collaborative

Providing improvement-oriented programs to smallholder producers and fishers to improve their social and environmental practices for better international markets while improving livelihoods and building resilient communities.

This aquaculture project seeks to engage smallholder shrimp farmers to help them improve their efforts towards environmental, social, and gender equality sustainability targets. ASIC provides improvement programs to allow for a step-by-step continuous journey for smallholder farmers to comply with the ASIC Shrimp and Social and Gender Standards. The program offers verification of sustainable practices at no cost which is then leveraged to provide direct market access to buyers. ASIC fisheries project is working to finalize its program while providing support to existing fisheries programs in the Philippines and looking to pilot its program soon.

The social and gender components are a new area that we have not yet heard before and through this program, our awareness has increased - which extended to farm management, household, and to the community level.

Smallholder Farmer

Indonesia

Uganda - Deutsche Gesellschaft fϋr Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH

Ensuring food security and reducing poverty by increasing fish supply and income

The Responsible Fisheries Business Chains Project (RFBCP) in Uganda is concentrating on sustainable fisheries management of Nile Perch on Lake Victoria and Lake Kyoga. Currently, GIZ-RFBCP is drafting selection criteria that will be used to identify producers to work with. The status of such businesses will be ascertained at the beginning and where points of weakness are identified in regards to sustainability measures. GIZ-RFBCP will work with producers to validate their sustainability measures and help them register on the Seafood MAP.

China - China Aquatic Products Processing and Marketing Alliance and China Blue Sustainability Institute

Optimizing the industrial layout, conserving fishery resources, and protecting water ecology to meet the growing consumer demand for high-quality protein and to provide producers with new sustainable practices.

CAPPMA and China Blue have been working with scientific research teams, producers, purchasers, and other stakeholders over the span of this project. In close cooperation, a large amount of research has been carried out and suggestions have been made for the optimization and next development of the Seafood MAP registration model based on China's characteristics and reality.

In China, there are many types of aquatic products available for residents to consume, and the production model is diversified. Reflecting on our pilot work so far, we know more time is needed to optimize, but we are looking forward to establishing a concrete buildout of the Seafood MAP platform to move our work forward and improve.

Janelle Dong

CAPPMA

Papua New Guinea - Fishing Association of Papua New Guinea

Exposing our progress and performance with seafood supply chain partners and finding common ground for collaboration to move towards certification.

The prawn and lobster fisheries management in the area is aimed at preserving the fishery for the traditional inhabitants, with strict limited entry for non-inhabitants. We aim to move all fisheries and aquaculture operations toward sustainable certification, we need Seafood MAP as a path to educate our fisher how to collect data properly, report and assess it.

Seafood MAP has increased the collaboration between the National Fishery Authority and the producers in the area with respect to data collection, measuring performance and reporting against the robust Seafood MAP criteria based on FAO and SDG indicators.

Marcelo Hidalgo

Sustainability Director, FIA PNG

Aquaconnect and IDH, the Sustainable Trade Initiative

Working towards more efficient resource use by collecting and analyzing farm and disease data.

The project focused on improving disease data collection and analysis, by linking Aquaconnect to a lead aquatic epidemiologist. The objective of the project is to provide farmers better information on diseases with the ultimate aim to improve resource efficiency. The Aquaconnect team tested the Seafood MAP registration form for seafood producers, as well as the self-evaluation form for their customers.

Through the IDH-Aquaconnect program, we were able to promote sustainable practices among the farmers communities and set several shrimp production benchmarks. One of the key highlights is that we have redesigned our data architecture to capture individual and population-level symptoms to support the shrimp epidemiology study.

Sudhakar Velayutham

Project Manager, Aquaconnect

Indonesia - UNIDO

Strengthening the quality and standard compliance capacity of small and medium-scale enterprises to improve market access to both domestic and international markets.

The programme supports the country to align the demand and supply of quality services required by markets through enhancing quality infrastructure and services, strengthening producers and value chains, and raising a culture for quality.

The Indonesian fisheries sector has great potential for both capture fisheries and aquaculture, with small fishers and farmers dominating the sector. Small scale fishers and farmers usually have limited access to markets, technology, information, finance, and public services. Helping them to improve their access to these services will ultimately improve their livelihood that could incentivize sustainable fishing and farming practices.

Ita Sualia

Chief Operations Officer, UNIDO

Ecuador - Sustainable Shrimp Partnership and IDH, the Sustainable Trade Initiative

Supporting SSP members to achieve their goals and supporting small and medium-scale farmers to achieve SSP through the establishment and coordination of an improvement program.

Over the course of the project, twelve farms qualified for the SSP criteria of zero antibiotics, ASC certification, minimal environmental impact, and full traceability. Currently, the SSP focuses on a better understanding of their carbon and water footprint by joining the IDH Aquaculture Working Group on Environmental footprint. The SSP team tested the Seafood MAP registration form for seafood producers, as well as the self-evaluation form for their improvement program.

The improvement program allowed us to support small shrimp farms to demonstrate accountability by improving their environmental and social performance and it demonstrated that SSP members are committed to the highest levels of transparency by being the first shrimp producers in the world to adapt blockchain traceability for shrimp

Pamela Nath

Director, SSP

Mozambique - Pescamar and Nueva Pescanova

Improve maritime fishing training in Mozambique to ensure local generational replacement of fleet masters and resilience of fishing communities

The project is a public-private initiative that transfers knowledge from the Atlantic Maritime Fisheries Institute of Vigo (Spain) to the Matola Fishing School (Mozambique) funded by AECID and the collaboration of Pescamar and Nueva Pescanova. To date it has allowed improving the school´s curricula, and its equipment and has incorporated students to work at Pescamar.

Seafood MAP will give visibility to the work that Pescamar is doing to contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals, in this case highlighting its collaborative work to improve fisheries education.

Jose Joaquin Rodriguez

General Manager, Pescamar

Hugo Byrnes

Vice President Product Integrity, Ahold Delhaize

Hugo Byrnes joined Ahold in 2006 and was subsequently appointed to the position of Vice President Product Integrity. He is responsible for Ahold Delhaize’s food and non-food product policies, which cover product safety and responsible products. This includes social compliance, animal welfare and environmental issues. Hugo Byrnes has a Dutch Law degree from the State University Leiden, the Netherlands. He is a food lawyer whose career has focused on the food business and in particular on quality management and standardization.

Flavio Corsin

Director of Partnerships, Aqua-Spark

Flavio has spent more than two decades working in responsible aquaculture globally for non-profit, intergovernmental, and for-profit organizations. As Aqua-Spark’s Director of Partnerships, he is responsible for driving the development and execution of a robust partner ecosystem that aligns all stakeholders behind a core vision, while supporting Aqua-Spark’s portfolio, network, and goals. Prior to joining Aqua-Spark, Flavio worked for IDH, the Sustainable Trade Initiative, overseeing their Aquaculture Program. He was also IDH Vietnam Country Director, establishing groundbreaking public-private partnerships in coffee, tea, and apparel. He founded and ran the sustainability arm of the Vietnam association of farmers and fishers (VINAFIS). He has worked as an expert for over 20 international organizations such as the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). Flavio holds an M.Sc. in Aquaculture from the University of Stirling and a Ph.D. in Epidemiology, the study of diseases in populations, from the University of Liverpool.

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