2013-03-06 21:07:09 -

/EINPresswire.com/ USAID has recognized the successful results of the Fishing and Living™ initiative and has awarded a grant to significantly expand its efforts. The program promotes sustainable fisheries and enhanced living conditions for fishing communities. These fisheries have gone through MSC pre-assessment and are engaged in a verified and active Fisheries Improvement Project (FIP) to provide certified sustainable tuna to Anova Food, LLC.

The grant will focus on the handline tuna fisheries in Indonesia. Funds will allow for the expansion of successful programs already implemented. These field programs include:
• setting

up 6 additional field offices on new landing sites
• setting up centers that teach alternative livelihoods to fishermen, and reduce the total fishing fleet
• on-site training of data collectors for each new landing site
• on-site training of additional observers for data verification on the fishing vessels
• engagement of all stakeholders including suppliers, processors and the Indonesian fisheries ministry to discuss activities and compiled data

The most important step to reach sustainability is a comprehensive assessment of the health of the fish stock. Under this program, each landing site office collects data on total catch, catch composition, fish maturity, bait, and interactions with Endangered, Threatened or Protected (ETP) species.

The Fishing and Living™ program is a unique approach made possible through the collaborative efforts of Anova Food, LLC, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), local and national governments, a host of other entities and individuals on-site and working in the communities, and of course, the fishermen themselves. The activities of the program are published on their web site at www.fishing-living.org in an effort to provide updates to all collaborating parties.

USAID grants are made possible by the generosity of the American people.

Anova Food, LLC is the top sushi quality tuna company in America. It has become a leader in the global sourcing of wild caught and farm-raised finfish. The sustainability efforts of Anova demonstrate its corporate core value commitment to socially and environmentally responsible efforts to ensure a healthy supply of fish for future generations.