Using the Sun’s Power to Produce Ice: How small-scale fishers in Indonesia are revolutionising ice production and reducing their carbon footprint

Kawa, Indonesia, 15 October 2024
Celebrating a New Chapter in Kawa’s Fisheries Sector

The Solar Ice Maker project goes beyond just environmental gains; it’s a powerful catalyst for social transformation, bringing real income stability to small-scale fishers. With improved cold chain reliability, these fishers can unlock the full value of their catch, minimise their financial losses and boost local economic growth.

This initiative is an inspiring model for other coastal regions facing similar hurdles in cold chain logistics and post-harvest losses.

Shannon Hardisty, Social Responsibility Director of IPNLF, explains, “As simple as it may sound, ice is a crucial step in the supply chain to achieve a higher-quality product.

With this innovation, fishers can nearly triple their income because of the higher-grade tuna they sell. Their product can be sold to international markets such as Japan and the USA with that grade, which means rural fishers can increase access to global markets and improve their livelihoods.

”A Future of Opportunity

The launch of the Solar Ice Maker is potentially a game-changer for the seafood industry, philanthropic donors and climate-related investors alike, and could potentially be incorporated under “blue” bonds where bond issuance is linked to the SDG goals.

This groundbreaking project showcases how responsible innovation can uplift small-scale fisheries, transforming socio-economic conditions in coastal communities while paving the way for a sustainable future in seafood production.

With its solar-powered solution, the Solar Ice Maker is already turning heads among major players in the seafood sector.

They recognise its potential to revolutionise traditional cold chain logistics, presenting both exciting opportunities for growth and a challenge to outdated practices. 

Dr. Mary Matthews, UNDP Ocean Innovation Challenge Manager, echoed these sentiments: “We were looking for transformative, scalable, replicable projects to help with sustainable fisheries.

It allowed the fishermen, the fisherfolk, to preserve their catch, so fewer catches had to be caught to get good quality catch to market.

And to do it in an environmentally friendly way that’s met all the criteria. The wonderful thing about this is that we can make ice as long as the sun shines.” Martin Purves, Managing Director of IPNLF, added, “Transitioning to renewable energy in the fisheries sector, especially in small-scale fisheries, can be a major achievement in the battle to address climate change impacts.

The Solar Ice Maker not only strengthens local cold chain infrastructure but also represents a crucial investment in the future of sustainable small-scale fisheries.

We are keen to work with our market partners, investors and the donor community to find scalable solutions that will help ensure long-term market access and improved economic resilience for small-scale fishers and their dependent coastal communities.

”For more information on this initiative and future projects, visit IPNLF website.Contact: shannon.hardisty@ipnlf.org

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Copyright (C) 2024 IPNLF. All rights reserved.
Thank you for supporting one-by-one caught tuna. It makes a difference to the seas and the people directly connected to them!

Our mailing address is:

Charity 1145586
2 Chawley Park, Cumnor Hill, Cumnor, Oxford, OX2 9GG

info@ipnlf.org

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