The goal of introducing eco fish and environmentally-friendly fishing techniques is to provide fishermen in remote villages – where unemployment is a serious issue – with a sustainable way of making a living. Fishing for 'eco fish' offers fishermen a better, more long-term income than destructive fishing, and contributes to the conservation and restoration of coral reefs.

'Eco and Fair'
MAC certification is an excellent tool for conserving coral reefs where

A new 'eco and fair' ornamental fish trade has been designed and successfully tested by a group of Bali fishermen, exporters from Jakarta and other stakeholders to provide a win-win solution.

The new supply chain markets 'eco-fish' for both

• Indonesian buyers (Syafi's shop) and
• International marine aquarium hobbyists ('Blue Star').

The new supply chain cuts out the middlemen and asks for a higher price for the fish, which increases MAC-certified fishermen's income by 10%. This arrangement provides better quality (longer living) fish for hobbyists, because they are not poisoned by cyanide, and improves conservation efforts more so than law enforcement alone.

The new supply chain reconciles the otherwise competing priorities of economic development and conservation.

The fishermen of Buleleng still face the challenge of successfully marketing eco fish.

Contact Andi Isvandiar and Darwina Sri Widjajanti for more information.