The largest tuna fish ever recorded (according to National Geographic), is an Atlantic Bluefin caught in Nova Scotia. It weighed a whopping 1,496 pounds- that’s the equivalent of approximately 4,524 cans of tuna!

The high demand for tuna, unfortunately, means that our oceans could suffer from overfishing in the future. Overfishing is caused by the catching of fish at the same rate of their reproduction, so it’s important for us, and in particular restaurants and businesses, to make more sustainable choices and help sustain the tuna population in the ocean.

What are the best ways to catch Tuna?

Affinity for Business World Tuna Day- Committing to Sustainable Tuna Consumption

Ever wondered how your tuna landed on the fishmonger’s counter?
Commercial fishers most commonly use The Purse Sein method which uses a large net to catch tuna in big quantities. Although this might be efficient for the supplier, it’s definitely not the most sustainable way to catch tuna. The Purse Sein method is responsible for the bycatch of birds, turtles, dolphins and other marine species.  A lot of sea life can be affected by this fishing method and in a lot of cases, it kills species that aren’t intended to be caught.

The best ways to fish tuna are the more traditional methods such as the one-by-one process which is more commonly known as using a pole and line. Alternatively, if you’re looking for a way to catch lots of tuna- you could use the Handline fishing method. This is when a single fishing rod has more than one baited hook attached to the end of its line. If you’re a business looking to buy fish, we recommend using suppliers that fish using these more traditional methods.

How can catering businesses become more sustainable?

Affinity for Business World Tuna Day- Committing to sustainable Tuna Consumption

A great way for restaurants to check whether they’re using the right suppliers is to search the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) website. The MSC is a non-profit organisation that helps to keep our oceans healthy and full of marine life. When buying fish, look out for their blue tick logo as it indicates that the fish you’re buying is not over-exploited or endangered. Their site is a handy tool for businesses around the world to find certified and sustainable seafood suppliers. Just fill out a few details and you’re on your way to being a more ocean-friendly restaurant. Tuna steak will be on your specials board in no time!

Using sustainable tuna also promotes your business in a positive light. A great way to let your customers know if you’re serving sustainable seafood is to tell them where it came from, how the fish was caught and don’t forget to raise awareness of your sustainable supplier to encourage others to do the same.

Happy World Tuna Day! If you liked this blog, you’ll love our other posts! Why not read our blog on Tackling Water Usage in Your Industry?

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