Welcome to the Maldives
- Ahmed Zaheer
- Hengel en lijn
- Partner since 2014
- Dhiffusi, Maledives
Dhiffushi has the stunning white beaches and palm trees the Maldives are famous for. But on this island, you won’t find luxury resorts, golf courses, or honeymooning couples. In the Maldives, it’s all about fish. More 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.
De vissers gaan achterop de boot in een rij staan. Allemaal met een eigen hengel. Ze gooien het aas uit en het duurt niet lang voordat de eerste hengel begint te buigen. Met flinke kracht zwiepen de Maledivische vissers de skipjacks over hun schouder. De ene na de andere tonijn vliegt door de lucht de boot op.
His day starts early. Together with the rest of the crew—often family members—he heads out to sea to catch tuna. For Ahmed, fishing isn’t just a job; it’s a way of life. “I want to teach the younger generations how important sustainable hook-and-line fishing is,” he says.
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!
