Most small-scale fisheries lack reliable access to electricity, technical knowledge on food safety and fish handling, and facilities to maintain a cold chain. This diminishes the quality and high economic value that the small-scale tuna fisheries usually generate.  

In Indonesia, about 60% of the value of large yellowfin tuna harvested by traditional handline fishers is lost due to inefficient supply chains, lack of infrastructure, poor harvest handling practices and other inadequate systems that compromise fish quality.  

This innovation project aims to address these issues by deploying off-the-grid, solar-powered ice-making machines in remote fishing communities in East Indonesia to produce quality yellowfin tuna intended for high-value markets. This initiative will be combined with fishers upskilling to improve handling practices, cold chain protocols, financial literacy, and asset management, ultimately enhancing livelihoods in a climate-friendly manner.

READ: Reducing post-harvest loss and improving fish quality to benefit small-scale tuna fisheries

IMPLEMENTATION STATUS: Progress summary as of November 2022 (PDF)