Embracing the Uncharted
Looking back on my one-year anniversary as a sustainability PM in the distant-water tuna fishing and trade industry, I’m still struck by the unpredictability of life. I began my career in urban sustainability, working in Canada as a smart city strategist. My journey even led me to launch a startup focused on urban tech solutions. Yet, fate had other plans. A personal decision to return to Taiwan and be closer to my mother set in motion a professional transition I never anticipated. The surprising discovery that my favourite canned tuna brand in Canada was owned by the very company I would join made the leap feel serendipitously right.
At first, I was hesitant. I envisioned my future in policy think tanks or government agencies—not the fishing industry. But the more I learned, the more I realised the critical role this sector plays in advancing sustainable seafood, preserving marine ecosystems, and supporting coastal livelihoods. I joined a vertically integrated company—one involved in nearly every part of the tuna supply chain except for fishing itself. That meant I had a rare opportunity: if sustainability could be vertically integrated across the company, we could model a truly transformational approach to industry-wide change.
Learning, Unlearning, and Relearning
From day one, I dove deep—figuratively and intellectually—into the marine environment and its fragility. Collaborating with marine biologists and sustainability researchers, I studied tuna species, ocean biodiversity, and ecosystem resilience. The learning curve was steep, but each new insight fuelled my motivation.
One of the most memorable milestones was attending a vessel launching ceremony for a newly built purse seiner. In distant-water fishing, such events are not only operationally significant but also culturally symbolic. They mark the beginning of a vessel’s journey into the open sea—an embodiment of enterprise, tradition, and commitment to sustainable fishing practices. Witnessing the christening and the release of the vessel into the water was profoundly moving. It reinforced the magnitude of what it means to work in this industry and the responsibility we carry with each launch.
Partnering for Regional Impact
A particularly humbling aspect of my role has been collaborating with government officials from Pacific island nations such as Nauru. These partnerships reflect a shared vision for ocean stewardship, built on mutual respect and cultural sensitivity. Together, we’ve worked on project proposals aimed at tuna stock conservation, fisheries management, local employment, and ecosystem monitoring. These engagements reminded me that sustainability is inherently local—rooted in place, shaped by culture, and advanced through trust.
Reflections and Looking Ahead
As I mark one year in this industry, I find myself reflecting on how the most meaningful experiences often arise from the least expected paths. I don’t know how long I’ll remain in the tuna trade, but I do know that each day has been a lesson in humility, resilience, and purpose. Working in a sector often criticised yet vital to the global food system, I’ve witnessed how collective action—when guided by sincerity and science—can protect the oceans we depend on.
I’m grateful for the chance to learn, to engage with policy, to collaborate with vessel owners, and to dialogue with governments. These experiences have shaped not only my professional outlook but also my personal convictions. And as I look ahead, I remain committed to advocating for marine sustainability—not from a place of idealism, but grounded in the complexities of real-world practice.
Because sometimes, the most impactful paths are the ones we never planned for—but chose to embrace anyway.
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