Once again, there has been a steep increase in both the volume and value of MSC labeled tuna, with an impressive 100,000 more tons sold in 2025/26 – a 39% increase on the previous year. This trend is seen across the board, driven by brands and private labels in North America and Europe.
The number of brands and retailers that are working towards sourcing 100% MSC certified tuna is growing, with several having already hit the 100% mark.
- The Netherlands has Princes labelling 100% of their tuna products with the MSC ecolabel, with Statesman introducing 100% MSC tuna in 2025
- In the UK, Sainsbury’s, Waitrose, and Tesco have extensive and fully MSC labelled own-brand tuna ranges, whilst Princes recently hit its target to be 100% certified on its own-brand tuna
- France saw success as Rio Mare hit 100% MSC labelled in jars and cans.
- In the US, Walmart has achieved 100% MSC under their own brand canned tuna.
As more companies push for 100% certified tuna, we're seeing more fisheries get MSC certified, which in turn is driving change on the water and improving environmentally sustainable management in tuna fisheries worldwide.
Over the past year, we’ve seen several tuna fisheries newly certified as environmentally sustainable, including Australian Southern bluefin, and Ghanaian Atlantic Ocean skipjack and yellowfin tuna.
The volume of tuna sold with the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)’s blue ecolabel reached over 400,000 metric tonnes in 2025-26, according to new data released by the MSC in the latest edition of its Sustainable Tuna Yearbook.
Data also reveals that 3.1 million tonnes of tuna from MSC certified fisheries were landed in 2025, accounting for over half of the global wild tuna catch, based on the major commercial species.
Nicolas Guichoux, the Marine Stewardship Council’s Chief Program Officer, said: “The commitment and progress we’ve seen brands and retailers make towards achieving 100% MSC certified tuna this year has been significant. Tuna has upheld its popularity among consumers, and canned tuna in particular has had an impressive boost in sales
These commitments are important because they mark a shift toward full-scale transformation. By driving demand for certified fisheries and building consumer trust, they help accelerate progress toward healthier oceans and more transparent food systems.”
Significant progress is being made to ensure the long-term sustainable management of tuna fisheries – particularly for multi-jurisdictional stocks managed by Regional Fisheries Management Organisations (RFMOs). A major milestone was reached in December 2025, when a Management Procedure was adopted to secure the long-term sustainable management of albacore tuna in the South Pacific. The Management Procedure, also known as a ‘harvest strategy’ requires the albacore stock to be subject to a pre-agreed, science-based approach to guide catch limits and respond to changes to stock status, providing a ‘safety net’ if the stock declines.
The adoption of the Management Procedure followed agreement from the 41 countries and territories that are members of the Western Central Pacific Fisheries Commission, demonstrating the importance of different stakeholders working together to deliver robust, long-term management of tuna stocks.
The progress made by the WCPFC – and other RFMOs worldwide – is encouraging, although significant challenges remain to ensuring effective harvest strategies are adopted for all major tuna stocks. Further progress is now urgently needed, with tuna fisheries facing the highest risks of disruption to sustainable management due to climate change.