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li Saeed, master fisherman, operates one of the largest 'dhoni' fishing boats from the island of Hulhumeedhoo in the Addu atoll. He inherited his first fishing boat from his father 25 years ago while aged just 20. His island community, home to 4,000 people, has seen a leap in prosperity in recent years as demand for sustainable tuna has risen. He first employed 12 fishermen, but this has increased in recent years to 26. He is now building a new and bigger brick home for his family. "We only catch tuna, nothing else, because our lines are specially made for tuna, so it is not possible for any shark or dolphin to get injured or killed," he says.
In New Zealand pole and line caught tuna is sold under the Pams and Fish 4Ever labels. Greenseas and John West have committed to phase out unsustainably caught tuna by 2015. Sealord, which is New Zealand’s largest canned tuna brand is refusing to change.