American canned tuna company American Tuna has announced it is expanding its line of pole-and-line fished tuna products in Whole Foods Market stores.
The new products – pole and line yellowfin tuna, deck hand premium cat food with salmon and deck hand premium cat food with shrimp – represent an expansion of the Dan Diego, Calif. company’s relationship with Whole Foods.
"Our partnership with Whole Foods is helping fishing families keep a century-old tradition of sustainable, small-scale fishing alive," said Natalie Webster, a member of one of American Tuna's founding families. "On the U.S. Pacific Coast, our sustainable approach supports the livelihood of artisanal U.S. fishermen, while in the Indian Ocean, our partnership with Maldivian fishermen supports their local economy. Pole & Line and Deck Hand brands enhance the economic opportunities and well-being of fishing families, sustainable fisheries and coastal communities."
The company promotes its tuna as sustainably caught by small fisheries that exclusively use pole-and-line fishing techniques.
"Every aspect of Pole & Line, from sustainability to traceability to nutrition, has been carefully thought through," said Dwight Richmond, global grocery purchasing coordinator for Whole Foods Market. "With Pole & Line and Deck Hand lines, every can is traceable back to its source and uses more of each fish, which means shoppers can enjoy a higher quality, more responsibly-sourced product at a great low price."
