FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
3rd February, 2026
Jakarta, Indonesia – The International Pole & Line Foundation (IPNLF) is awarded a grant to improve the health and safety of small-and medium-scale tuna fishers in Indonesia.
The project will be funded by the International Fund for Fishing Safety (IFFS) and will support safer working conditions for fishers by identifying accident risks, co-developing safety materials, and delivering practical, fisher-led training to improve financial literacy, first aid, and labour rights.
The work directly supports protection commitments under ILO Convention C188, which sets international standards for work in fishing.
Indonesia is home to hundreds of thousands of small-scale tuna fishers, many of whom operate in challenging conditions with limited access to safety training, healthcare, or financial literacy support. Through this project, IPNLF will work closely with fishers and local partners to make sure solutions are practical, culturally relevant, and grounded in real working conditions at sea.
“This grant enables us to work directly with fishing communities in Indonesia to strengthen safety practices and support livelihoods. Crucially, the project is built with fishers themselves, recognising their expertise and experience,” said Kai Garcia Neefjes, Indonesia Programme Lead, IPNLF.
The initiative contributes to IFFS’s strategic outcome of Safer Working Lives at Sea, while supporting broader efforts to improve labour standards, wellbeing, and resilience across small-scale fisheries.
Alan McCulla OBE, fund coordinator at IFFS, commented:
“Despite safety improvements in some parts of the world, fishing continues to be a dangerous occupation globally. In Indonesia, many lives, families and coastal communities depend on wild-capture fisheries. This makes it a key location for fisher safety. Fishers want and need to be safer, healthier and better supported, and that is at the heart of what sustainable fishing should mean.”
As part of the grant, IPNLF will share lessons learnt and practical resources to support wider replication of successful safety approaches in fisheries globally.
This project is funded by the International Fund for Fishing Safety (IFFS), managed by The Seafarers’ Charity, in partnership with the Fishing Industry Safety and Health (FISH) Platform, and funded by Lloyd’s Register Foundation.
Notes to editors
About the International Pole & Line Foundation (IPNLF)
The International Pole & Line Foundation is a global non-profit organisation working to support sustainable one-by-one tuna fisheries, protect marine ecosystems, and improve the livelihoods and rights of socially and environmentally responsible one-by-one tuna fisheries in 33 countries. These traditional fishing techniques are highly selective, minimising bycatch and environmental impact, while supporting the livelihoods of coastal communities. IPNLF collaborates with fishers, businesses, and policymakers to implement sustainable practices, enhance supply chain transparency, and advocate for equitable policies that benefit both people and the planet. IPNLF has 58 members, including the retailers Marks & Spencer, Sainsbury’s, Whole Foods, Edeka, Migros and Woolworths South Africa.
About The International Fund for Fishing Safety (IFFS)
IFFS is a global charitable fund dedicated to saving lives at sea by improving health and safety in fishing, one of the world’s most dangerous industries. Established by Lloyd’s Register Foundation, The Seafarers’ Charity, and the FISH Platform, IFFS supports practical, locally led interventions that improve fisher safety.
Since its launch, IFFS has committed £670,000 to fund 18 projects in 13 countries and regions, directly enhancing the safety and wellbeing of nearly 160,000 fishers.
Projects have spanned regions including Bangladesh, South Africa, Namibia, Fiji, Ghana, India, Kenya, Pakistan, Thailand, Vietnam, Uganda, Indonesia and The Pacific Community, addressing critical safety challenges faced by fishing communities.
Last year, FISH Platform became the very first global fishing body to be accepted into membership of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), reflecting the Platform’s unique international perspective and experience on commercial fisher safety, health, and welfare challenges. FISH Platform continues to encourage safety improvements, and represents the safety and welfare of 39 million global fishers at the IMO.
Press contact
Clare Harrison
IPNLF
clare.harrison@ipnlf.org