September Sales of Fresh Tuna Imports at Toyosu Market Fell 60% to 570 Fish

The number of imported fresh tuna received at Tokyo's Toyosu Market in September, which Jiji Press calculated, was 570, a decrease of 58.8% from the same month of the previous year. Typically, the volume of transactions increases in September, but it is the smallest in the past 20 years. In addition to wild bluefin tuna, wild southern bluefin tuna and bigeye tuna decreased by nearly 60%, reported Minato Shimbun.

The total number of bluefin tuna decreased by 59% to 329...

Wild Planet Foods Takes Home Good Housekeeping Sustainable Innovation Award

Sustainability-focused canned seafood company Wild Planet Foods won the Good Housekeeping's Sustainable Innovation Award in the "Smarter, Healthier Food & Kitchen" category for its Ready-to-Eat Wild Tuna, Bean & Corn Salad.

Wild Planet’s product features a blend of responsibly sourced, 100% pole & line caught wild skipjack tuna, organic, non-GMO sweetcorn, carrots, red peppers and red beans.

"We are honored to receive this recognition from Good Housekeeping for our Ready-to-Eat Tuna Salad Bowls," said Bill Carvalho, President and Founder of Wild Planet Foods...

StarKist Celebrates Mascot Charlie Turning 60

Legendary StarKist mascot Charlie the Tuna is turning 60 and Starkist is proud to celebrate him.

The character was created in 1961 by Tom Rogers of the Leo Burnett agency. StarKist's popular television commercials led Charlie to fam and the catchphrase "Sorry Charlie®" became well-known all over. The catchphrase even has its own holiday! National Sorry Charlie Day is annually on April 6.

"The fact that he appeals to audiences as much today as he did sixty years ago is really a testament to his timeless charm..."

Western Pacific Fishery Managers Recommend Improved Seabird Conservation Measures

So long, blue bait. Hello tori lines.

Fishery managers this week took action to approve new seabird conservation measures in the Hawai'i deep-set longline fishery.

A recent tori line study showed streamer lines are significantly more effective than blue-dyed fish bait to deter seabirds like Laysan and black-footed albatross from interacting with longline gear, according to a press release from the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council. The Council supported using tori lines instead of blue-dyed bait, which is currently required as a seabird interaction mitigation ...

August Sales of Fresh Imported Tuna at Toyosu Market Fell 25% Compared to 2020

The number of fresh imported tuna delivered at the Toyosu Market in Tokyo, Japan in August, calculated by Jiji Press, was 2344, a decrease of 25% from the same month of the previous year. The drop was due to the spread of the new coronavirus infection and the extended emergency declaration centered on the Tokyo metropolitan area affecting the fish deliveries of bluefin tuna, southern bluefin tuna, and bigeye tuna, reported Minato Shimbun.

The total number of bluefin tuna was 214, a decrease of 63%. The...

Thai Union Says 87% of Branded Tuna Sourced From MSC or FIPs, Ahead of Target

Seafood giant Thai Union said 87% of its branded tuna was sourced from either Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)-certified fisheries or Fishery Improvement Projects (FIPs) in 2020.

The 87% mark comes well above Thai Union’s 75% mark it set out for and keeps the company on track for its 100% sourcing goal.

“I’m incredibly proud of the progress that Thai Union has made towards our goal of ensuring 100% of our branded tuna is from sustainable fisheries,” said Thiraphong Chansiri, President and CEO of Thai...

Fisheries Development Projects are Top Priority for American Samoa

American Samoan fisheries are getting some upgrades.

The National Marine Fisheries Service recently announced the approval of a marine conservation plan for American Samoa. This agency decision is effective for three years, from July 25, 2021, through July 24, 2024.

The latest plan outlines objectives and priorities to maximize sustainable fisheries benefits through fisheries infrastructure, fisheries research and fisheries development for the people of American Samoa. Fishing activities constitute an integral part of the Samoan culture and fisheries development is important for the food security and economic ...

Global Tuna Alliance Backs MSC Push for Improved Management Across WCPFC Tuna Stocks

The Global Tuna Alliance (GTA) welcomed a factsheet on the Western & Central Pacific tuna published by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) this week.

The MSC warned that 22 tuna fisheries in the Western Central Pacific Ocean (WCPO) could face certification suspension. Both the MSC and GTA believe the Western & Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC), which oversees the stocks, must act to develop improved harvest strategies to ensure the stock remains sustainable.

Tom Pickerell, Executive Director of the GTA, said...

Subway Urging California Judge to Throw Out Lawsuit 

Subway is calling on a California judge to end the lawsuit over its tuna sandwiches. 

The sandwich chain has been embroiled in legal drama since January when Karen Dhanowa and Nilima Amin of Alameda County filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California alleging that Subway’s tuna sandwich is “made with anything but tuna.” Dhanowa and Amin ultimately abandoned their original claim, but updated their lawsuit last month to call Subway’s sustainability claims into question. 

“Defendants label and advertise the Products as...

BBB’s National Advertising Division Releases Findings on Safe Catch Tuna Claims

This week the Better Business Bureau’s (BBB) National Advertising Division (NAD) released their findings on claims being made by Safe Catch, Inc., a manufacturer of pouched and canned tuna products.

Safe Catch calls themselves the “better” tuna option based on their “unique catching, testing, and cooking methods.” The company’s website lists themselves as the “official tuna” of the American Pregnancy Association (APA) and boasts that People magazine has listed them as the “tuna pick for kids.” These claims, among others, were challenged by the National Fisheries Institute (NFI)...

Good Catch Debuts ‘OurWay’ Food Van Featuring Plant-based Tuna Amid Subway Controversy 

Plant-based seafood brand Good Catch parked its ‘OurWay’ food vans, featuring a menu of plant-based tuna subs outside of Subway locations in New York City, London and Austin, Texas.

Good Catch’s move to promote its products comes as Subway battles accusations that it is not using 100% tuna in their sandwiches.

On July 13, Subway CEO John Chidsey was interviewed on the Fox Business channel, where he defending the brand’s tuna, saying “we 100% stand behind our tuna...

JAPAN: May Imported Bigeye Price 30% Higher, Exceeding 700 Yen/kg

According to the customs statistics of the Ministry of Finance, the import record of tuna in May was 647 tons, up 23% from the same month of the previous year. Fresh and chilled fish reached 916 million yen ($8.31 million), up 37%. Frozen tuna was 14,555 for a 27% increase, 15,665 million yen ($142.24 million), a 27% increase. Processed tuna was 3329 tons, an 8% decrease, 2,011 million yen ($18.26 million), an 8% decrease. Frozen bigeye tuna in the round...

VIDEO: Red Lobster New CEO; No Changes to Subway Tuna; Norway Exports; Pangasius & Tilapia Analysis

Join SeafoodNews Weekly Video co-hosts Lorin Castiglione and Ryan Doyle as they break down the biggest stories of the week, including Red Lobster's new CEO; Subway sticking with its tuna amid a massive menu update; a look at Norway's seafood exports at the half-year mark and an update on the pangasius and tilapia markets.

This episode of the SeafoodNews Weekly Video is brought to you by Urner Barry Consulting. Urner Barry Consulting provides tailored solutions to identify growth opportunities within the fast-paced...

Subway to Make Big Menu Changes but Its Tuna Will Remain the Same

Subway’s menu is set to look very different in the coming days but nothing will change about the brand’s tuna.

Subway has been battling claims over the sustainability of the brand's tuna alongside a recent New York Times report which DNA tested the chain’s tuna. Amid the controversy, Subway has pressed on and will continue to feature its tuna amid the largest menu update in the company’s history.

“While many of Subway’s core protein choices were improved as part of the Eat Fresh Refresh, one ingredient...

Subway Tuna Lawsuit Update: Plaintiffs Say Chain’s Sustainability Claims Are "False and Misleading"

The Subway tuna lawsuit drama continues.

In January a lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California alleging that the sandwich chain’s tuna sandwich is “made with anything but tuna.” Independent lab tests that were reportedly taken from multiple California Subway locations found that the tuna was a “mixture of concoctions that do not constitute tuna, yet have been blended together by defendants to imitate the appearance of tuna.” The two plaintiffs...

JAPAN: April Imports By Air Improve Notably, Volume Recovered The Level Two Years Ago

According to the April import customs statistics released by the Ministry of Finance, seafood brought in by air freight is recovering rapidly. The signs of improvement have been noticeable since March, but they confirmed it in April and finally approached the same month of 2019 before the coronavirus pandemic, reported Suisan Keizai.

The import by air transportation (marine products and preparations) in April was 5,290 tons and 8,058.61 million yen ($73.53 million), a significant recovery of 51.8% in quantity and 50.2% in value compared to...

Judge Dismisses Subway ‘Fake Tuna’ Lawsuit

A lawsuit that initially questioned if quick-service sandwich chain Subway used 'real' tuna and would later question the sustainability of its tuna products, was thrown out in federal court by U.S. District Judge Jon S. Tigar.

According to judge Tigar, the plaintiffs in the case were unable to meet the requirements for the suit to move forward.

“By identifying Subway and its sandwiches, wraps, and salads containing tuna products, Plaintiffs adequately plead the “who” and “what” of the alleged fraud,” Tigar wrote in his ruling. “But Plaintiffs’ complaint does not...

Pacific Island Tuna to be Supplying Walmart’s Store Brand Canned Tuna

The Nature Conservancy (TNC) announced a partnership with the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) by creating Pacific Island Tuna, a TNC-RMI joint venture company. The purpose of their partnership is to transform the global canned tuna supply chain. Pacific Island Tuna will supply canned tuna to U.S. Walmart stores.

Tuna is a vital species to Pacific Island Nations. The Pacific Island Tuna business allows Pacific Islanders to participate equitably in global tuna supply chains and intends for 100% of long-term net profits to return back...

Dark Clouds Hover Over Supply Outlook for Frozen Bluefin Tuna for Japan's End of Year Sales Season

For frozen tuna that can be stored for an extended period, it is easy to calculate the quantity and unit price, and it is easy to make a schedule for the year-end sales season. Mediterranean Sea tuna, which accounts for most frozen bluefin tuna fillets, has a peak of delivery from November when new products enter the market and around April of the following year. While many new harvests that arrive in November are destined for the year-end sales season...

ISSF Disappointed in IATTC Failure to Adopt Tropical Tuna Conservation Measures

The International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF) shared its disappointment in the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) inability to agree on a tuna conservation measure.

According to the ISSF, the recent IATTC meeting “yielded few positive results in the advancement of the Commission’s agenda to protect bigeye, yellowfin and skipjack tuna stocks in the Eastern Pacific Ocean.”

“The IATTC was unable to reach a consensus on an urgently needed tuna conservation measure, delaying this critical goal until its next meeting in October,” said ISSF President Susan Jackson...

Pew Charitable Trusts Provides Its Solution to Eastern Pacific Tuna Management

Pew Charitable Trusts said the upcoming Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) meeting will provide managers the chance to put tuna stocks on a more sustainable path.

The IATTC, the group in charge of managing skipjack, bigeye and yellowfin tuna stocks will meet from August 23-27. Back in December 2020 following an annual IATTC meeting, the group failed to agree on rules for managing the stock, Pew raised the alarm.

The tropical tuna fisheries in question are worth $4.59 billion at the point of final sale...

Court May Reinstate Tuna Price-fixing Suit

A federal appeals court agreed Tuesday to consider reinstating a nationwide price-fixing suit against three major tuna companies, two of which have already admitted rigging prices for canned tuna.

The lawsuit against StarKist, Bumble Bee and Chicken of the Sea by commercial and retail customers had been derailed in April by a three-judge panel of the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco. The panel ruled 2-1 that a federal judge who had allowed the case to proceed as a class action in 2019...

JAPAN: May Air Cargo Imports Up 33.1% In Volume, 27.4% In Value

According to the May import statistics released by the Ministry of Finance, marine products brought in by air freight maintained a recovery trend. The cumulative value also exceeded the same period of the previous year. Compared to 2019, before the COVID crisis, the quantity has recovered to 90%, and the value increased significantly, reports Suisan Keizai.

In May, the actual results of air transported imports (fishery products and preparations) were 4,556 tons; up 33.1%, and 6,726.2 million yen ($6.13 million)...

Western Central Pacific Ocean Tuna, a Key Source of MSC Certified Product At Risk of Suspension

The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) said that 22 tuna fisheries in the Western Central Pacific Ocean (WCPO) may face an MSC-certification suspension.

The WCPO is home to over half of the global tuna catch and represents 73% of all MSC-certified tuna. The MSC noted that the failure of these fisheries to retain certification could undermine years of work towards sustainable tuna fishing.

The fisheries in the region were initially certified with a requirement for fishing nations to agree on measures to ensure...

Bluefin Tuna Decreased by 70% for the First Time to Fall Below 100 at Toyosu Market in June

According to the calculation by Jiji Press, the number of fresh tuna delivered in June at the Toyosu Market in Tokyo was 1491, a decrease of 12% from the same month of the previous year. Wild Southern bluefin tuna increased slightly, but bluefin tuna and bigeye tuna decreased. It was even lower than the last year when delivery was depressed due to the influence of the new coronavirus, reported Minato Shimbun.

The total number of bluefin tuna was 80...

Subway CEO John Chidsey Defends Tuna Sandwich, Says Company Stands Behind Product

Subway is standing firmly behind their tuna sandwich following accusations that the sandwich isn’t made with 100% tuna. 

On Tuesday Subway Restaurants CEO John Chidsey joined Fox’s “Mornings With Maria” to defend the brand’s tuna sandwich, telling host Maria Bartiromo that “we 100% stand behind our tuna.”

The tuna drama stems from a January 2021 lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. Plaintiffs Karen Dhanowa and Nilima Amin claimed in the lawsuit that the sandwich chain’s tuna sandwich is...

JAPAN: May Seafood Imports, Exports Up In Value, Down In Volume

According to the May customs statistics released by the Ministry of Finance on June 29, imports of marine products (including non-edibles) have picked up slightly even though they are less than last month. The value increased significantly as unit prices continued to rise. Suisan Keizai reports that due to rising international prices and the Japanese yen depreciation, procurement costs are likely to be high.

Imports in May were 177,551 tons; 120,246.02 million yen ($1,091.94 million), which is a decrease of 2.4% from...

Christopher Lischewski's Appeal Denied; Will Continue to Serve Prison Time for Price-Fixing

A panel of judges denied former Bumble Bee Foods CEO Christopher Lischewski’s appeal that challenged his 40-month prison sentence.

Lischewski was convicted for his role in an antitrust conspiracy to fix the prices of canned tuna in December 2019. In June 2020, Lischewski was sentenced to 40-months in prison and a $100,000 fine for his role in the scandal that lasted from November 2010 until December 2013.

SeafoodNews first reported on Lischewski’s appeal in October 2020...

Subway Releases Statement On Updated Tuna Lawsuit, Comments on New York Times Report

Subway is once again speaking out on the claims circulating regarding their tuna sandwiches.

To quickly backtrack, a lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California back in January alleging that the sandwich chain’s tuna sandwich is “made with anything but tuna.” The plaintiffs, Karen Dhanowa and Nilima Amin of Alameda County, updated their lawsuit this month to call Subway tuna’s sustainability claims into question.

“Defendants label and advertise the Products as ‘100% tuna’ and additionally represent that...

JAPAN: May Sales Of Imported Fresh Tuna Down 26.5% to 725; Lowest Record At Toyosu Market

The total number of fresh imported tuna that arrived in May at the Toyosu Market in Tokyo, which Jiji Press compiled, was 725, a decrease of 26.5% from the same month of the previous year. The number of bluefin tuna, southern bluefin tuna, and bigeye tuna decreased across the board to below 1,000 in total, further below the recent year's minimum of 986 in the same month, reported Suisan Keizai.

The total number of bluefin tuna was 147, a decrease of 20.5%...