Liverpool, U.K.-based international food and drink supplier Princes Group has successfully sourced 100 percent of its 70 million cans of branded tuna from Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)-certified fisheries.
“This commitment is the culmination of a 10-year journey of fishery improvements,” Princes Group Corporate Relations Director David McDiarmid said. “It was deliberately ambitious, and achieving it reflects the scale of change required across complex global supply chains. Reaching 100 percent MSC-certified tuna demonstrates the progress we have made alongside our partners and reinforces our belief in the MSC Standard, and its global recognition is critical in driving progress in sustainable fishing.”
The company started this process in 2022, investing in traceability and collaborating with fishing partners to start a large-scale supply change transformation. The change aligns with larger shifts in U.K. buying habits. A recent MSC study found that U.K. consumers spent GBP 1.7 billion (USD 2.3 billion, EUR 2 billion) on 189,000 metric tons (MT) of MSC-labeled fish and seafood from the financial year spanning 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025, representing a 14 percent increase on the previous year.
Princes Group produces other seafood besides tuna and said in a release that the same responsible sourcing principles are applied, with the company looking to utilize certified sustainable fisheries, use robust traceability methods, and improve efforts among suppliers. Other species include salmon, kippers, and mackerel. Princes started shifting away from the sourcing of mackerel in October 2025 from the Northeast Atlantic, instead beginning to turn to MSC-certified fisheries in Chile after observing poor stock health figures and a lack of direct action from nations along the Northeast Atlantic coast.
Princes Group said that the company also supports fishery improvement projects working toward MSC certification, with a commitment to sustainable seafood and long-term ocean stewardship.
“Achieving 100 percent MSC-certified sustainable tuna on their products is a clear demonstration of Princes’ leadership and commitment to keeping our oceans teeming with life,” MSC Program Director of the U.K. and Ireland George Clark said. “This ambitious and proactive industry action plays a vital role in driving real, positive impact in store and in our seas. By ensuring that more certified sustainable tuna is available to U.K. shoppers than ever before, Princes is helping to reward sustainable fishing practices and giving consumers the confidence to choose products that support the long-term resilience of tuna stocks and marine ecosystems.”
Princes Group sources products and ingredients from more than 40 countries and collaborates with 600 raw material suppliers with nearly 8,000 employees across the globe, the company said in a release.
