The tuna retailers' league table has been compiled on the basis of data obtained from four sources:
- Retailer and brand supplier responses to a product survey issued by Greenpeace commencing in May of this year.
- Correspondence with retailers and brand suppliers arising from the survey.
- Information obtained from Greenpeace Active Supporters engaging in spot checks of their local supermarkets; and
- Material that is publicly available on retailer and brand supplier websites.
The data obtained was evaluated by Greenpeace against a set of criteria broadly designed to test each company's commitment to sustainability in relation to their tinned tuna products.
In simple terms, a fishery is sustainable if its practices can be maintained indefinitely without reducing the targeted species’ ability to maintain its population and without adversely impacting on other species within the ecosystem by removing their food source, accidentally killing them, or damaging their physical environment.
The criteria that were applied to determining the sustainability of the tinned tuna provided by those retailers and suppliers included assessing:
- The general adequacy of the companies' approach to sustainability in their fish sourcing, with reference to sub-criteria including transparency, public accountability and promotion of sustainable seafood lines, a definition of sustainable fisheries that is appropriate and rigorous and the demonstration of commitment to eliminating the worst and improving the best.
- Transparency in labelling of tinned tuna, including species used, fishing area and catch method.
- Catch methods used for tinned tuna.
- Application of targets or initiatives for improving sustainability practices.
- Any sustainability concerns taken into account by the company in terms of tuna species used and stocks sourced from; and
- Support for marine reserves.
Note that a criteria regarding a company’s adherence to independent dolphin safety certification standards was not included, as all companies are now sourcing 'dolphin safe' tuna from Earth Island Institute accredited suppliers.
Four different grades were given to companies across the different criteria:
- Dark Green: Best in Class.
- Light Green: Good performance, but still some issues that need to be resolved.
- Amber: Borderline pass/fail: Some acknowledgement of the problems, but an inadequate response to them.
- Red: Failed. Immediate action required to improve practices.
Greenpeace is grateful for the assistance provided by retailers and brand suppliers in providing relevant information.
