A hands-on mapping guide for Indonesian tuna and skipjack exporters: how to choose and word FAO 57 vs FAO 71 and the EU-required gear category on 2026 retail labels, with plug-and-play examples and hard-earned tips.
If you’ve ever paused before typing “FAO 71” on a tuna label, you’re not alone. We’ve walked dozens of EU programs through this exact decision, and the pattern is always the same. The rules look simple on paper, but the reality on the water in Indonesia is messy. Mixed fleets, multiple ports, transshipments, and multilingual labels. Here’s the no-nonsense guide we use internally to keep labels clean and compliant in 2026.
What the EU actually wants in 2026
For fishery products sold to EU consumers or mass caterers, you must show:
- Commercial designation and scientific name
- Production method: “Caught at sea” (for wild tuna)
- Catch area: FAO major fishing area (e.g., FAO 57 or FAO 71). Adding the plain-language name helps
- Fishing gear category from the EU’s standardized list (e.g., “Purse seines,” or “Hooks and lines (longline)”)
For B2B raw materials not sold to the final consumer (for example, frozen loins for further processing), the consumer label isn’t required on the master carton. But the same data must exist in your traceability and will be needed for any retail packs later. In our experience, including area + gear on specs and carton labels prevents headaches down the line.
Mapping Indonesian tuna grounds to FAO 57 vs FAO 71
Here’s the thing. Indonesia straddles two FAO areas, and the dividing line is geographic, not administrative. A simple rule that works 9 times out of 10:
- West of 120°E longitude = FAO 57 Eastern Indian Ocean
- East of 120°E longitude = FAO 71 Western Central Pacific
If you prefer working by Indonesia’s Fishery Management Areas (WPPNRI), use this quick map:
- FAO 57: WPP 571, 572, 573 (Andaman, western Sumatra, south of Java–Nusa Tenggara). Typical ports: Benoa, Cilacap, Pelabuhanratu, Jakarta (Muara Baru)
- FAO 71: WPP 714–718 (Sulawesi, Maluku, Banda, Halmahera, Arafura, Papua). Typical ports: Bitung, Ambon, Sorong, Tual
- Banda Sea catch? That’s FAO 71
Practical tip we apply on intake: don’t label by plant location or exporter address. Label by where the fish was actually caught. We retain vessel logbooks, set positions, and RFMO trip data to back every claim. If positions straddle the 120°E line, split the lot or label as mixed FAO areas.
Exactly how to write FAO 71 or FAO 57 on the label
You can use the FAO code, the spelled-out area, or both. Both is our standard because retail auditors prefer clarity:
- “Catch area: FAO 71 Western Central Pacific”
- “Catch area: FAO 57 Eastern Indian Ocean”
On multilingual labels, FAO numbers don’t change. The words can. We keep the code first, then the local language name. That saves space and avoids translation ambiguity.
Choosing the correct gear wording for tuna
The EU requires you to show the standardized gear category. You can add a specific gear name in brackets. For tuna and skipjack, these are the ones you’ll use most:
- Purse seines
- Hooks and lines (longline)
- Hooks and lines (handline)
- Hooks and lines (pole-and-line)
- Hooks and lines (trolling line)
In our experience, trouble starts when teams print “longliner” or “pole & line” without the category. Keep the category first. Then be as specific as your data allows.
A quick aside. “FAD-free” or “free-school” are marketing claims, not gear categories. Use them only if you have robust evidence. They don’t replace the EU gear term.
Worked label lines you can plug in today
Real products. Real wording. Copy, tweak, and paste into your artwork.
-
Skipjack, purse seine, Pacific
“Species: Skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis)
Production method: Caught at sea
Catch area: FAO 71 Western Central Pacific
Gear: Purse seines”
Good fit for products like Skipjack Cube (WGGS / IQF). -
Yellowfin, handline, Indian Ocean
“Species: Yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares)
Production method: Caught at sea
Catch area: FAO 57 Eastern Indian Ocean
Gear: Hooks and lines (handline)”
Works well for sashimi-trimmed items such as Yellowfin Saku (Sushi Grade). -
Bigeye, longline, Indian Ocean
“Species: Bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus)
Production method: Caught at sea
Catch area: FAO 57 Eastern Indian Ocean
Gear: Hooks and lines (longline)”
Typical of export loins and steaks, e.g., Bigeye Loin or Bigeye Steak. -
Mixed FAO areas in one pack
“Species: Yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares)
Production method: Caught at sea
Catch areas: FAO 57 and FAO 71
Gear: Hooks and lines (handline and longline)”
If you’re building a new EU program and need help aligning your spec sheet to your label text before artwork lock, we’re happy to sanity-check your lines against your fleet and lot data. If you want a quick answer on a tricky lot, Contact us on whatsapp.
Looking for product options that match these specs? You can browse our current range here: View our products.
Mixed catch areas and multi-origin lots
We see this weekly. A buyer wants a stable price and availability, so you blend Pacific and Indian Ocean fish of the same species. The EU lets you list multiple areas. Two ways to keep it clean:
- List both areas: “FAO 57 and FAO 71”
- If areas vary by batch inside a master SKU, use a batch-level sticker with the exact area(s) and keep full traceability on file
Our bias. When possible, avoid mixing. Retailers increasingly prefer single-FAO SKUs for clarity and to reduce customer questions. If you must mix, never use “FAO 57/71” without the word “and” or “and/or” explained somewhere. Ambiguity invites rework.
Common mistakes we still see (and how to avoid them)
- Labeling by processing plant location. The FAO area is where the fish was caught, not where it was frozen or filleted. Keep set positions in your lot file.
- Using non-standard gear names. Use the EU category first, then the specific gear in brackets.
- Forgetting the scientific name at retail. Every Member State ties the commercial name to a scientific name. Put both on the pack.
- Writing “Pacific Ocean” or “Indian Ocean” only. Add the FAO major area code and name. That’s what auditors expect in 2026.
- Combining FAD-free or dolphin-safe with no backup. If you can’t evidence it, don’t print it. Audits in 2025–2026 are paying attention to claim substantiation.
Takeaway. Build a one-page “label facts” sheet per SKU with species, scientific name, FAO area(s), gear category, and a link to the batch trace file. It reduces artwork errors by half, in our experience.
Quick answers to the questions you ask us most
What FAO area should I use for tuna caught in Indonesian waters?
Use FAO 57 for tuna west of 120°E (Eastern Indian Ocean). Use FAO 71 for tuna east of 120°E (Western Central Pacific). Banda, Halmahera, Arafura, and most Maluku catches are FAO 71. South of Java and off Sumatra are FAO 57.
How do I write FAO 71 or FAO 57 on an EU label?
“Catch area: FAO 71 Western Central Pacific” or “Catch area: FAO 57 Eastern Indian Ocean.” Put the code first. Then the name. It’s clear across languages.
Does the EU require the fishing gear type on tuna labels in 2026?
Yes. For products sold to consumers or mass caterers, show the gear category from the EU’s list. For B2B bulk, it’s not printed for shoppers but must be in the traceability and will be needed on any consumer pack later.
Which gear category should I use for pole-and-line or handline tuna?
Use “Hooks and lines (pole-and-line)” and “Hooks and lines (handline).” For longline, “Hooks and lines (longline).” For purse seine, just “Purse seines.”
How do I label a product that contains tuna from both FAO 57 and FAO 71?
List both areas. For example, “Catch areas: FAO 57 and FAO 71.” If gear differs by lot, list both gear types too. Keep batch-level evidence and consider separate SKUs if a retailer prefers single-area sourcing.
Do I need to print the scientific name together with the FAO area and gear type?
You need the scientific name on the retail label, but it doesn’t have to sit on the same line as the FAO area. We usually group species + scientific name together and place area + gear in a second block.
Can I write Western Central Pacific instead of FAO 71?
Yes, but best practice is both. “FAO 71 Western Central Pacific.” That satisfies the rule and helps shoppers understand where the fish comes from.
Final takeaways
- Decide FAO area by catch position, not by plant. Use 120°E as your first filter, then confirm with logs
- Print FAO code plus plain-language name. Use the EU gear category and add specific gear in brackets
- Avoid mixing FAO areas in one SKU where possible. If you must, list both areas clearly and link to batch trace data
If you want us to review a label line against your fleet positions before you print, send the lot details and we’ll give you a straight answer the same day. Need help with your specific situation? Contact us on whatsapp.