3 Things to Know About Sustainable Tuna

Look for MSC certification or “pole and line” / “troll-caught” on the can The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) blue label means the fishery is independently audited for healthy fish stocks and low bycatch. Pole-and-line or troll-caught means each fish is hooked individually, so almost nothing else dies.

Skip the “dolphin safe” label “Dolphin safe” only protects dolphins, not the rest of the ocean life that gets caught and thrown back dead. It is a marketing gimmick from the 1990s, not a sustainability seal.

Avoid major purse-seine fisheries unless labeled “FAD-free” Fish aggregating devices (FADs) attract tuna but also tons of other marine life, causing high bycatch. Some brands now print “FAD-free” on the can, which is a decent sign.