4 Things to Know About Buying Sustainable Canned Tuna

Skip the “dolphin-safe” label It only means no nets that trap dolphins, but it says nothing about overfishing or bycatch. It is not a reliable sustainability indicator.

Look for MSC certification and pole-and-line caught MSC is the gold standard for wild fisheries, checking stock health and ecosystem impact. Pole-and-line fishing hooks each fish individually, producing almost zero bycatch and no ocean-floor damage.

Choose skipjack over albacore or yellowfin Skipjack is abundant and reproduces fast. Albacore is borderline for some regions, so skipjack is the safer choice.

Expect to pay more for truly sustainable brands Brands like Wild Planet, American Tuna, and Ocean Naturals carry both MSC and pole-and-line labels. The extra dollar per can supports fisheries that will still be around in ten years.