Greenpeace Canada on Tuesday released its first sustainability ranking of 14 major canned tuna brands sold in Canada.
The report, “Lifting the lid on the major canned tuna brands in Canada: Tanking the sustainability and equitability of tuna sourcing,” found that most canned tuna in the country’s supermarkets comes from environmentally and socially irresponsible fisheries.
Only two companies received passing grades: Wild Planet Foods in first place with 65.1 percent and Raincoast Trading in second place with 50 percent. Greenpeace said the companies are on top because their commitments to sustainability are reflected in their actions on the water and on their cans.
Almost half the companies fell in the 40 percent range for having developed sustainability policies that for the most part have not led to a change in sourcing policy. These companies include Ocean’s brand, the house brands of supermarket chains Metro, Sobeys, Loblaw and Walmart and Canadian Fishing Co. Overwaitea Food Group, the leader in Greenpeace’s 2010 supermarket ranking report, placed nineth, followed by Safeway. Clover Leaf, which holds the largest market share of Canada’s canned seafood, came in 11th, with last place going to Unico. The two were the only companies that did not respond to the Greenpeace questionnaire.
“The destructive practices used to catch most tuna in Canadian stores means consumers could be getting more than they bargained for,” said Sara King, Greenpeace oceans campaigner. “If consumers knew of the wasted marine life and imperiled tuna caught to produce their can of tuna, they might think twice at the supermarket. Canned tuna is a staple in many Canadian homes and is found in every supermarket chain, but that could change if tuna sourcing doesn’t.”
