Safcol switches to sustainable canned tuna
Australians will soon be able to buy sustainable canned tuna in supermarkets, which reduces the hidden cost of high-yield fishing techniques.
Safcol has become the first major Australian brand to switch from aggregation and purse seine fishing methods to the environmentally friendly pole and line fishing.
The new product, launched in Sydney, is yet to hit stores but Greenpeace has applauded the switch as a step towards the end of destructive fishing practices.
Greenpeace Asia Pacific head of oceans Lagi Toribau said it was up to consumers to drive demand for sustainably fished tuna.
"The market is now the carrot that's going to change everything," he said.
"If the market demands sustainability, the industry, the political circle have no reason to not agree to it because at the end of the day the products end up in the market."
Canned tuna is Australia's top-selling seafood product, but Greenpeace said current fishing practices were endangering several species of tuna and causing the unnecessary killing of sharks and turtles.
Greenpeace is pushing for a ban on fish aggregation devices (FADs) that attract fish to a central point to be collected by large nets, and for tuna companies to implement sustainability policies.
Mr Toribau said the nets used by purse seine fishing could be the size of two city blocks.
Safcol will meet with Woolworths and Coles next week to discuss getting the new tuna product on the shelves.
Greenpeace has also issued its third canned tuna guide, which ranks tuna brands on their sustainability credentials.
Safcol, which was previously at the bottom of the 10-brand ranking, is now the second-best tuna for sustainability on the market.
Fish 4 Ever, which is available at some IGA stores and health food stores is the top-ranked tuna on the market for sustainability. Fish 4 Ever co-founder Belinda Lawlor said there was resistance from major supermarkets to stock the brand because of its high price point.
Greenpeace oceans campaigner Nathaniel Pelle said Fish 4 Ever was a market leader.
The latest Greenpeace tuna guide can be found on the Greenpeace website greenpeace.org.au.
till
Posts: 9358
Date Joined: 21/02/08
Thats pretty interesting, to
Thats pretty interesting, to see it coming back. About four years back, there was a lot of marine stewardship council approved tuna from JW, but they silently phased it out and took the stickers off the label.
pale ale
Posts: 1755
Date Joined: 02/01/10
What annoys me is those tiny
What annoys me is those tiny tuna cans, which only hold one mouthful of fish. How much energy and resources goes into producing these miniature cans, just for half a taste of fish.
Guys I work with may open 4-5 cans every day, just for snacks on crackers. Maybe the tuna companies should supply these "flavoured tuna" in larger cans. It surely would work out cheaper.
UncutTriggerInWA
Posts: 2692
Date Joined: 05/09/08
Tiny Cans
I agree. I won't go near them. My wife does though.
I have a few great recipes for canned Tuna. I use the large cans of Tuna in brine or spring water and mix recipe ingredients. It makes a lot of sambos and keeps pretty well in the fridge.
It's good to see some of the larger producers address the issue of sustainability. Like anything else to do with the environment though it comes at a price to consumers.
Vince.
Work smart and fish often.
Member and die-hard supporter of the mighty West Coast Eagles.