Lakshadweep Pole Line Tuna Cooperative Fishing

Lakshadweep the Union Territory of coral atolls in the Arabian Sea off the Kerala coast has developed a distinctive sustainable pole-and-line skipjack tuna fishery that is now internationally certified as one of the most ecologically responsible tuna fisheries in the world. Lakshadweep fishermen from Minicoy and Androth islands use traditional doni wooden boats and hand-held bamboo poles with barbless hooks and live baitfish to catch skipjack tuna in waters free from bycatch or ecosystem damage. The Lakshadweep fish cooperative known as Lakshadweep Co-operative Society Ltd manages the tuna catch, cold storage, and canning operation at Agatti and Kavaratti islands. MSC Marine Stewardship Council certification of the Lakshadweep pole-and-line fishery in 2014 opened European premium markets for sustainably certified Indian Ocean tuna. The tuna canning cooperative provides year-round employment and income stability compared to the monsoon-limited seasonal fishing economy of the past.