The International Pole and Line Foundation (IPNLF) has appointed Martin Purves, formerly its fisheries development director, as the group’s new managing director.
The nonprofit IPNLF works toward developing and supporting one-by-one tuna fisheries and supply chains and has had particular success in the Maldives, in the Indian Ocean.
In the same announcement, IPNLF announced its former international coordinating director, Emily Howgate, who has “chosen to spend some time traveling and doing volunteer work,” the organization said.
“Martin has a wealth of knowledge and practical experience in promoting sustainable fisheries management and will be a tremendous asset as we look to strengthen the economies of coastal communities by increasing the market potential of tuna caught using traditional one-by-one methods,” IPNLF Chairman John Burton said. “I would also like to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of Emily during the three years that she spent with us. Among her many contributions, Emily has been a driving force in growing the IPNLF membership and encouraging members to take proactive roles in the development of one-by-one fisheries, as well as progressing our organisational effectiveness work.”
Prior to joining IPNLF, Purves headed the Marine Stewardship Council’s Southern Africa Program for seven years after establishing MSC’s first African office in 2008. He has also worked as a sea-going observer, fisheries scientist and resource manager and has conducted consultancy work on several international projects.
“These are very exciting times at the International Pole & Line Foundation. Our membership is growing at an unprecedented rate as more and more companies involved in the seafood supply chain look to ensure a trustworthy source of environmentally and socially responsible tuna,” Purves said. “With our three-year strategic focus and organisational values now defined, we look forward to strengthening our impact on one-by-one tuna supply chains. Alongside partners and funders, we will continue to scope out, initiate and support practical fisheries projects and research that we believe will allow these fisheries to thrive.”
IPNLF also announced it is recruiting a market outreach director to work with fisheries outreach staff to grow demand for and improve the global supply of tuna caught one-by-one.
