Welcome to the Maldives
- Ahmed Zaheer
- Hengel en lijn
- Partner since 2014
- Dhiffusi, Maledives
Dhiffushi is known for its beautiful white beaches and palm trees, just like the Maldives. But on this island, you won't find expensive resorts, golf courses, or honeymooning couples. In Dhiffushi, it's all about fish. Specifically: tuna.
At night, the fishermen take a nap while the captain watches the water with large lamps. After a few hours, a large spot appears in the light: hundreds of small fish. They are scooped from the water and tossed into a seawater tank aboard the boat. These small fish are used as bait to catch the tuna.
The fishermen line up at the back of the boat, each with their own rod. They cast the bait into the water, and it doesn’t take long before the first rod starts to bend. With great force, the Maldivian fishermen fling the skipjacks over their shoulders. One after another, the tuna fly through the air, landing in the rising net.
With his crew – often family – he sets course for the open sea to catch tuna. For Ahmed, fishing is not just a job, but a way of life. "I want to teach the younger generations how important sustainable pole-and-line fishing is."
Mercury in fish is something to be aware of, but it needs some context. Mercury enters oceans through human pollution and is stored in the tissue of fish. The longer a fish lives and the higher it is in the food chain, the more mercury it can accumulate. Smaller fish tend to have much lower levels. The tuna in our cans in the Netherlands is skipjack (Katsuwonus pelamis). This is a smaller tuna species that matures quickly and accumulates less mercury. The levels in our tuna typically range from 0.1-0.2 mg/kg, which is well below the legal limit of 1 mg/kg and under the standard fish limit of 0.5 mg/kg.
Skipjack tuna is packed with protein and fits perfectly into a healthy, nutritious diet. With 25 grams of protein per 100 grams, it’s an ideal choice to help maintain muscle!
Skipjack tuna, also known as Katsuwonus pelamis, is a smaller tuna species and the star of canned tuna. This fish has a strong, distinctive tuna flavor that enthusiasts recognize immediately. Skipjack contains less fat than larger tuna species, but still offers plenty of protein and omega-3 fatty acids. Another advantage? Because skipjack is lower in the food chain, has a shorter lifespan, and is smaller, it contains significantly fewer harmful substances like heavy metals.
Are you the kind of tuna fan who could open a can every day? We totally get it! But, like with everything, moderation is key. Excessive intake of mercury can pose health risks, but with normal consumption, there’s no need to worry. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) recommends eating fish 1 to 4 times a week for the best health benefits. Stick to that, and you can keep enjoying the very best Fish Tales tuna with peace of mind!
Our skipjack tuna is caught in the central western part of the Pacific Ocean (FAO 71), off the coast of North Sulawesi, Indonesia. If you purchased the skipjack tuna in organic olive oil, it comes from the Maldives, where Ahmed and other tuna fishermen use pole and line to catch it.
