Ethical Tinned Tuna
Which Tuna brands are the most ethical and sustainable? For the answer, see our Ethical Tinned Tuna Ratings Table to compare brands’ ethical scores.
Tinned tuna? A sustainable tuna alternative? Or a marine catastrophe?
Tinned tuna has become synonymous with the issue of sustainable fishing. This species of powerful marine predator has helped to raise awareness of overfishing and unethical fishing practices. Many of us are familiar with images of dolphins, turtles, seabirds and sharks caught up in tuna nets. Additional problems with tinned tuna include: FADs, “neocolonial plundering”, and the endangering of certain tuna species, such as the bluefin.
But with the increase of fish waste, buying line caught tinned tuna could be a more sustainable tuna option for ethical shoppers.
For comprehensive and easy-to-understand comparisons of sustainable tuna brands, check out our Ethical Tinned Tuna Ratings Table. See how these brands score for issues relating to the Environment, Animals and People.
‘Dolphin friendly’ tinned tuna: What are the consequences for marine ecosystems?
Schools of tuna often swim alongside dolphin pods. Dolphins offer some protection for tuna from sharks. (This also means that sharks often trail tuna schools, and swim close by.) Because of this symbiosis, some commercial fishing boats follow and herd dolphin pods, in order to catch the tuna schools that swim underneath. As the fishing boats put down their nets, dolphins can be caught, tangled, injured, drowned or distressed in the process. Public outcry about this has meant that some tinned tuna is branded with a ‘dolphin safe’ label or logo.
However, some international ‘dolphin friendly’ certifiers are not without their own controversies. In 2013, a village in the Solomon Islands claimed that The Earth Island Institute did not pay the full amount that had been promised to them to stop dolphin hunting. The Earth Island Institute is a ‘dolphin safe’ certification which appears on John West tinned tuna products, as well as other tinned tuna brands.) In retaliation against the Earth Island Institute, the villagers began traditional dolphin hunting practices again, as they said they could not survive without the money promised to them.
Similarly, there is some doubt from Greenpeace about the validity of the MSC certification (Marine Stewardship Council), as some verified fisheries still use unsustainable fishing methods.
Brands such as Fish4ever, John West, King Oscar and Kingfisher score well on our Ethical Tinned Tuna Ratings Table across criteria for Environment, Animals and People and so those looking to buy sustainable tuna can look out for these popular brands!
By contrast, supermarket-owned brands and Princes rate very poorly on our ethical comparison tables, so ethical consumers might want to avoid these brands.
UK ethical consumers can also be reassured that almost all UK tinned tuna is skipjack tuna. Skipjack does not swim close to dolphin pods, and so it is unlikely that dolphins will have been harmed in the fishing process. But being ‘safe for dolphins’ does not necessarily mean that you are buying sustainable tuna. Just because dolphins have not been caught in tuna nets, it doesn’t mean that sharks, turtles, seabirds and other fish species aren’t part of the bycatch.
That’s why we recommend checking our ethical comparison tables, so you don’t have to ‘trawl’ the internet for articles and research; it’s all here on our tables for you!
What is a fish aggregating device (FAD)?
An FAD is a floating, man-made device that attracts fish, often ensnaring them in purse seine nets, gillnets or drift nets. However, both FADs and purse seine nets are indiscriminate in what they trap, and all kinds of marine life ends up as bycatch. Therefore, tinned tuna that has been caught by FAD or seine nets are often not a sustainable tuna option. Purse seine nets can also catch whole schools at once, and so have been linked to overfishing and endangering some species of tuna. Overfishing of the yellowfin tuna in developing and poor coastal communities causes and perpetuates poverty.
Line caught tuna, pole caught tuna or troll caught tuna are good alternatives to tuna caught in purse seine nets. Line caught tuna has a relatively low bycatch rate, as long as the line is short. Short lines can be put into the sea with more accuracy than long lines can, and they stay in the water for a shorter amount of time, meaning that marine wildlife is less disturbed.
Fish waste: How tinned tuna could be the answer to the environmental problems with fresh fish
An extensive report from the FAO recently stated that,
“[a] large proportion of …aquaculture production is lost or wasted…”
35% of the global harvest of fish is thrown away before it even reaches our plates.
Fish spoils very quickly, and global consumer and retailer demand for fresh fish is high. Journalist Holden Frith suggested on The Week Unwrapped that buying tinned tuna could be a more sustainable way of buying fish, as canning or freezing food reduces waste. However, Frith also recognises that buying canned fish often means buying from large commercial fishing brands, rather than from small independent fishermen and women.
Finding sustainable tuna can be a tricky and complex process, but buying line caught tuna, skipjack tuna and avoiding controversial brands is a good place to start.
If you want to eat tinned tuna as part of a balanced diet, why not read our article on Ethical Vitamins and Supplements to find out how you can buy vegan Omega-3 supplements. Or why not try buying locally-sourced line caught mackerel. Mackerel has similar nutritional values to tuna, and supports UK fishing communities. If you live near the sea, you could even give mackerel fishing a go yourself from a beach, pier, jetty or boat in the spring and summer. Fishing for your own mackerel and taking home only what you will eat has very little environmental and humanitarian impact, and could be a good alternative to tinned tuna.
For more information on sustainable fishing practices, visit the Greenpeace website.
See our Ethical Tinned Tuna Ratings Table to compare brands
The Good Shopping Guide has researched the most popular and accessible brands of tinned tuna; click on any brand name to find out more about its ethics and sustainability efforts and policies.
Fish4ever, John West, King Oscar, Kingfisher, Parmentier, Rio Mare, Graal, The Nice Fisherman and Princes.
Why is buying tinned tuna considered an ethical choice rather than just a food purchase?
Tinned tuna raises ethical and environmental concerns because many tuna fisheries are overfished, threaten ocean ecosystems and use fishing methods that catch unwanted species as by‑catch. Some companies lack transparency about where their tuna comes from, how it’s caught, and whether workers are treated fairly. Ethical shopping helps reduce pressure on vulnerable fish stocks and supports responsible fishing practices.
What are the main environmental issues linked to conventional tuna fishing?
Conventional tuna fishing can deplete fish populations, disrupt marine food chains and damage sensitive habitats. Practices like purse seining and longlining often catch non‑target species such as turtles and sharks, contributing to biodiversity loss. High carbon emissions from long supply chains also add to environmental pressure. Ethical alternatives aim to reduce these negative impacts.
What role do sustainability certifications play in ethical tuna choices?
Certifications like MSC (Marine Stewardship Council) and Dolphin Safe signal that tuna has been sourced more responsibly — for example, from well‑managed stocks and with reduced harm to ecosystems. These labels offer independent verification that fishing practices meet specific environmental and welfare standards, making it easier for consumers to choose better‑managed products.
Which tinned tuna brands tend to score higher on ethical and sustainability criteria?
Brands such as Fish4Ever, John West (with certified lines) and Ocean Brands score comparatively well because they use more sustainable fishing methods, offer verified sustainable options and provide clearer information about sourcing. These products generally perform better in environmental reporting and responsible seafood sourcing than mainstream alternatives.
Why do some popular tuna brands score poorly on ethical assessments?
Some familiar brands receive low ethical ratings because they rely on fishing methods that harm marine ecosystems, lack transparent sustainability policies, or don’t use recognised certification schemes. Without evidence of responsible fishing practices, these products contribute to overfishing and by‑catch issues, which undermines long‑term ocean health.
How can consumers make more ethical choices when buying tinned tuna?
Consumers can choose tuna that carries independent sustainability certifications (like MSC or Dolphin Safe), check whether fishing methods are specified (e.g., pole‑and‑line), and favour brands that clearly disclose catch locations and practices. Preferring products from well‑managed fisheries helps support ocean conservation and more responsible seafood harvesting.
Is Fish4ever an Ethical Tuna brand?
Fish4ever is an ethical tuna brand under The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Tuna Ethical Ratings Table that sits above the benchmark, performing strongly in environmental reporting and sustainable fishing methods and earning its Ethical Innovator Status, although it has not yet obtained Ethical Accreditation; securing such accreditation could further demonstrate its commitment to ethical and sustainable business practices.
Is Brindisa an Ethical Tuna brand?
Brindisa’s tuna scores above the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Tuna Ethical Ratings Table, performing well in areas such as sustainable fishing methods and animal welfare, although it lacks an Environmental Report and has not achieved Ethical Accreditation; if Brindisa pursued Ethical Accreditation this would further signal its commitment to ethical and sustainable business practices.
Is Rio Mare an Ethical Tuna brand?
Rio Mare’s tuna sits above the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Tuna Ethical Ratings Table, performing well in areas such as environmental reporting and human‑rights criteria, although it falls short in sustainable fishing methods and has not achieved Ethical Accreditation; if Rio Mare pursued Ethical Accreditation this could further demonstrate its commitment to ethical and sustainable business practices.
Is John West an Ethical Tuna brand?
John West’s tuna sits below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Tuna Ethical Ratings Table, performing well in areas like environmental reporting and broader human‑rights criteria but scoring poorly in sustainable fishing methods; it has not met the minimum for the ethical benchmark, so consumers seeking tuna that reaches the ethical benchmark should consult the Tuna Ethical Ratings Table for higher‑performing brands.
Is King Oscar an Ethical Tuna brand?
King Oscar’s tuna sits below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Tuna Ethical Ratings Table, performing well in environmental reporting and human‑rights criteria although it scores poorly for sustainable fishing methods and lacks Ethical Accreditation; given this below‑benchmark outcome, you might consult the Tuna Ethical Ratings Table to find brands that meet or exceed the ethical benchmark.
Is Kingfisher Tinned Tuna an Ethical Tuna brand?
Kingfisher’s tuna sits below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Tuna Ethical Ratings Table, performing reasonably in criteria like animal welfare and human‑rights but scoring poorly in areas such as environmental reporting and sustainable fishing methods, and without Ethical Accreditation; given this below‑benchmark result, consult the Tuna Ethical Ratings Table to identify tuna brands that meet or exceed the ethical benchmark.
Is Parmentier an Ethical Tuna brand?
Parmentier’s tuna sits below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Tuna Ethical Ratings Table, performing well in areas like environmental reporting, animal welfare and human‑rights criteria but scoring poorly for sustainable fishing methods and lacking Ethical Accreditation; given this below‑benchmark outcome, you might consult the Tuna Ethical Ratings Table to identify tuna brands that meet or exceed the ethical benchmark.
Is The Nice Fisherman an Ethical Tuna brand?
The Nice Fisherman’s tuna sits below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Tuna Ethical Ratings Table, performing well in criteria such as animal welfare and human‑rights but falling short in environmental reporting and sustainable fishing methods and lacking Ethical Accreditation; given this below‑benchmark outcome, you could consult the Tuna Ethical Ratings Table to find tuna brands that meet or exceed the ethical benchmark.
Is Graal an Ethical Tuna brand?
Graal’s tuna sits below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Tuna Ethical Ratings Table, performing well in environmental reporting and some people‑related criteria but falling short in sustainable fishing methods and animal welfare and lacking Ethical Accreditation; given this below‑benchmark result, you could consult the Tuna Ethical Ratings Table to identify tuna brands that meet or exceed the ethical benchmark.
Is Princes an Ethical Tuna brand?
Princes’s tuna sits below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Tuna Ethical Ratings Table, performing reasonably in environmental reporting and areas like animal welfare and human‑rights but scoring poorly in sustainable fishing methods and other criteria and lacking Ethical Accreditation; given this below‑benchmark outcome, you might consult the Tuna Ethical Ratings Table to identify tuna brands that meet or exceed the ethical benchmark.
How does The GOOD Shopping Guide's Ethical Accreditation complement other accreditations?
The GOOD Shopping Guide doesn’t replace existing certifications, it ensures your ethical credentials are clearly recognised so they are trusted by consumers. By appearing in our comparison tables, your brand reaches an audience that is actively seeking genuinely ethical options, while also being referenced by Google and AI search tools to enhance credibility and discoverability.
How is The GOOD Shopping Guide's Ethical Accreditation different from other accreditations?
Unlike many accreditations that focus mainly on compliance or internal audits, The GOOD Shopping Guide provides scored, research-led assessments across environment, people and animals. Our tables are consumer-facing and freely accessible, making it easy for shoppers and AI tools to compare brands based on verified performance, not just promises.
How does The GOOD Shopping Guide choose who is eligible for accreditation?
The GOOD Shopping Guide audits brands for their ethical impact across a variety of criteria in the human, animal and environment categories. We research the records of brands and their parent companies, and rate them across those criteria. If they are found to be above our benchmark, they are eligible to apply for Ethical Accreditation.
How can I apply for Ethical Accreditation?
You can apply for Ethical Accreditation if your brand is assessed as above our benchmark. Click on this link to fill out our online form, and our researchers will assess your brand’s viability for Ethical Accreditation.