Building Bridges with LINI in Indonesia

_{All images courtesy of LINI - The Indonesian Nature Foundation}

Since the day we opened our first store 30 years ago, we've always believed in promoting responsible fishkeeping. Part of that effort goes to maintaining close ties with our trusted suppliers around the world and in supporting the work of organisations that promote sustainability and ethical practices. It's something we care about deeply and which we work hard to support, no matter the distances involved.

So in pursuit of that goal, Maidenhead Aquatics travelled far across the oceans to the village of Les in Northern Bali, Indonesia, where a number of our dedicated team met with some of the marine ornamental fishermen who help to supply our stores. It was a wonderful experience, with fishermen warmly opening their homes to their guests and inviting them out to the reef to watch their collection techniques and important reef restoration efforts.  

It was an important forum where fishermen, exporters, importers, and retailers could all meet and discuss issues, ideas and future programs supporting a sustainable marine aquarium trade in the region.

All of this was facilitated by LINI - The Indonesian Nature Foundation, who work hard to develop community-based marine conservation areas and to promote sustainable fisheries in Indonesia. Established in 2008, their mission is to help conserve coastal marine resources in Indonesia through science and the education and empowerment of coastal communities. They work tirelessly to protect and rehabilitate the coral reefs that are so crucial to the environment as well as to the fishermen whose livelihoods depend on them, while encouraging them to adopt long-term sustainable fishing practices. Without LINI’s sterling work, this vital region would be subject to other, less forgiving and more environmentally damaging practices that would impact the reefs for generations to come.

Our warmest thanks goes to LINI and the fishermen of Les for their incredible hospitality and all their superb work!