The Trouble with Tuna By Heather Stapleton, Education Coordinator, Environmental Learning Center

 When it comes to food choices, "doing the right thing" requires more research than it should. Canned tuna is a big challenge. Tuna is a staple most of us keep around; but, most people don't have the time to do the research needed to make informed decisions.

 Much of the tuna consumed in the US is imported. Fishing practices, stock status and management of tuna fisheries around the world vary greatly. Exact labeling and brand names are not always useful when trying to differentiate how it was caught.

For example, you might buy "dolphin safe tuna;" but, according the US Consumers Union, there is no universal and independent verification of the dolphin-friendly claims. Moreover, because of newly emerging trade agreements, US tuna regulations have been declared "more restrictive than necessary with regards to ...protecting dolphins," which means the term "dolphin safe" might become further watered down.

Even if the dolphin may be "safe," other animals aren't. No international laws to reduce bycatch exist. Sea turtles, seabirds and sharks are accidentally caught as bycatch in the international longline fleet, the most common method of catching albacore.

Additionally, many species of tuna are already overfished  A study conducted by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and published in the journal Science found that
5 out of the 8 tuna species are at "risk of extinction."  The study said some species were heavily over-fished, with little interest in conserving them because of the high commercial value of the catch.

IUCN experts warned that all three bluefin tuna species were susceptible to collapse. Skipjack tuna are vulnerable to extinction, while yellowfin and albacore tuna will be threatened with extinction if conservation measures are not taken.

The two principal species of canned tuna found in the U.S. market are albacore (white) and skipjack (light). Yellowfin, tongol and bigeye make up a smaller percentage and are often found mixed with skipjack and sold as "light."

Get started learning about sustainable seafood by visiting Monterey Bay Aquarium's Seafood Watch web site. Because there is little or no bycatch, Seafood Watch recommends troll or hook-and-line caught as a best choice for any species of fish.

Overall, US caught tuna are best bets. A few American brands have been certified by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC). The MSC has standards for sustainable fishing and seafood traceability. Fisheries and seafood businesses voluntarily seek certification. Independently accredited certifiers carry out the assessments. Some of these brands currently include:

• American Tuna Wild ~ Bornstein Seafoods
• Vital Choice Wild Seafood and Organics ~ Wild Pacific Seafood

The next time you crave tuna salad, keep all of this in mind. All of our actions have big impacts on the planet - even simply eating a sandwich.

For other environmental news, please visit the Environmental Learning Center online.