Greenpeace Spain has published the first Spanish tinned tuna ranking, joining the global Greenpeace campaign for improved sustainability and transparency in the industry.
The guide evaluates 14 Spanish brands of canned tuna on the basis of seven criteria: traceability, sustainability of origin and methods of fishing, illegal fishing, equity, purchasing policy, information and transparency to the consumer and initiatives to promote change.
None of the brands ranks a top ‘green’ rating; the guide shows that the Spanish sector is mostly selling tuna caught using destructive and unsustainable methods (predominantly purse seiners using Fish Aggregating Devices) and Greenpeace Spain says that it must therefore act to improve its sustainability, transparency and labelling practices.
Frinsa del Noroeste SA is the most sustainable, according to the report, while Ortiz comes in last, due to its lack of transparency.
Tuna is the most consumed canned seafood by Spanish consumers and yet it is clear they are receiving tuna caught using destructive and unsustainable practices,” said Elvira Jimenez, Greenpeace Spain oceans campaigner.
“It is now time for the Spanish tuna industry to clean up its act and work to reach the levels of good practice already shown in the Australian and UK markets.”
The Canned Tuna Guide is available here (in Spanish).
