Looking for more transparent tuna options?
by Sustainable Choice Group 14/04/2026
Food and Drink, Guide, Tinned Food
by Sustainable Choice Group 14/04/2026
Food and Drink, Guide, Tinned Food
This article was contributed by Sustainable Choice Group.
Choosing tuna should be simple. But once you start looking into sustainability, it gets complicated quickly.
Fishing methods, certifications, traceability. Everyone claims to be doing the right thing, but it’s not always clear what that actually means.
This list focuses on verified Sustainability Tracker members. Brands that are actively sharing their sustainability data, certifications and sourcing practices in a way that can be reviewed, not just marketed.
At Sustainability Tracker, we don’t rank or rate brands. We make their sustainability information easier to see and compare. If you’re trying to make better choices at the shelf, these are some the brands worth knowing.
When it comes to sustainable tuna in Australia, John West is one of the most widely recognised brands working to improve transparency and sourcing practices at scale.
Why it stands out:
John West plays an important role in shifting the category forward because of its scale. When a brand of this size commits to certified sourcing and traceability, it has a broader impact across fisheries, supply chains and industry expectations.
Best for: Everyday purchasing with stronger sustainability credentials behind it
If you’re looking for tuna that goes beyond baseline certification, Safcol is one of the strongest examples in the Australian market.
Why it stands out:
Safcol was one of the first major brands to introduce responsibly sourced tuna into Australian supermarkets, helping shift expectations across the category.
Its approach focuses on how tuna is caught, not just where it’s sourced from.
That matters. Fishing methods like pole and line catch one fish at a time, significantly reducing the risk to other marine species compared to large-scale net fishing.
Some Safcol products have also been recognised as a “better choice” in independent sustainability guides, reflecting stronger performance across sourcing, fishing methods and transparency.
Best for: Shoppers prioritising lower-impact fishing methods and verified sustainability practices
Sustainability in tuna relates to how fish stocks are managed, how tuna is caught, and how transparent brands are about these practices.
Factors like overfishing, bycatch (the unintended capture of other species), and fishing methods can influence environmental outcomes.
Looking at sourcing, certifications and transparency can help build a clearer picture of how different products compare.
Choosing sustainably sourced tuna helps:
If you’re standing in the supermarket trying to make a call, these are the signals that matter most.
Certification
Look for recognised certifications like the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) and the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC).
These certifications assess fisheries or producers against defined environmental and management standards.
Fishing Method
Some fishing methods are generally considered to have lower environmental impact than others, depending on how they are managed.
For example:
Pole and line → highly targeted, minimal bycatch
FAD-free purse seine → reduces impact on surrounding marine life
Understanding the method used can provide more context beyond sourcing location alone.
Traceability
Brands that provide information on where their tuna is sourced from may be better positioned to monitor and improve their supply chains over time.
Transparency
Brands that share accessible data, certifications and reporting make it easier to understand what sits behind their claims.
Not all sustainability claims are created equal.
Sustainability Tracker highlights brands that are:
This can make it easier to review and compare what different brands are disclosing.
→ Applies to wild-caught seafood (such as tuna)
→ Focuses on fish stocks, ecosystems and fishing practices
→ Applies to farmed seafood (such as salmon or prawns)
→ Focuses on environmental and social impacts of aquaculture
These certifications assess different parts of the seafood system, so it can be helpful to understand which applies to the product you’re buying.
There isn’t a single “best” option when it comes to tuna.
The goal is to make more informed decisions using the information available.
Brands like John West and Safcol provide visibility into sourcing, certifications and fishing methods across parts of their range, which can help when comparing products.
If you want to go deeper, explore their full Sustainability Tracker profiles to review the detail behind their claims.
The term “sustainable tuna” is commonly used to describe tuna sourced with consideration for fish populations, environmental impact and fishing practices.
Definitions can vary, so it’s important to look at the specific information provided by each brand.
MSC-certified tuna comes from fisheries that have been assessed against the Marine Stewardship Council’s standards for environmental management, fish stocks and ecosystem impact.
Some canned tuna products are sourced from fisheries with recognised certifications or use fishing methods that aim to reduce environmental impact.
Looking at certifications, sourcing information and fishing method can help provide more context.
There isn’t a single answer.
Products with recognised certifications, clear sourcing information and transparent reporting can make it easier to compare options. Brands like John West and Safcol provide this type of information across parts of their range.