The International Pole & Line Foundation (IPNLF) on Monday announced John Burton (pictured), founder of World Wise Foods, as foundation chairman.
Burton takes over from Hussain Rasheed Hassan, who will remain one of IPNLF’s trustees.
Burton has been instrumental in developing the U.K.’s demand for pole-and-line tuna, working with several sustainability initiatives and building relationships with fisheries NGOs.
He will be supported by Shiham Adam, chairman and Andrews Bassford — both founding members of the organization who have taken up executive roles. In addition, Ali Wibisono became the foundation’s first Indonesian trustee and Amin Salka joined as Indonesian coordinator.
Beginning 8 July, Emily Howgate will join as program director and Rosie Magudia will join as communications director. Both positions are newly-created.
“The foundation is delighted to welcome Emily and Rosie to the team. Both have a wealth of knowledge and practical experience in promoting sustainable fisheries management and will be tremendous assets as we look to strengthen the economies of coastal communities by increasing the market potential of tuna caught using traditional pole-and-line and hand-line methods,” said Burton.
“I would also like to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of Hussain Rasheed Hussan as the outgoing foundation chairman. Among his many achievements, Hussain was instrumental in leading the Maldives pole-and-line fishery in achieving Marine Stewardship Council certification for its skipjack tuna in November 2012. I will continue to work closely with him to ensure the foundation contributes to many more important sustainability milestones.”
