World Tuna Day Celebrations Begin
Credit: Grupomar
World Tuna Day will be celebrated tomorrow on May 2, and 2026 marks the 10th year since the UN declared this day for the most consumed wild-caught fish in the world. Tuna is not just a source of healthy protein for millions of people, but supports livelihoods and communities across the globe. Companies have announced their work in the conservation of tuna stocks and promoting sustainable tuna. Atuna has included a puzzle at the end of this article to test your knowledge about this fish.
Earlier this week, we reported on various initiatives by Pacific Islands to commemorate World Tuna Day, highlighting the social, environmental, and economic importance of tuna to these countries.
More Aussie Retailers Switch To 100% MSC Tuna
In Australia, for years, Simplot-owned John West has offered MSC tuna for its entire range of products. Now, major retailers Coles, Woolworths, and ALDI have all switched toward fully sourcing their private label canned tuna from MSC-certified fisheries. With an estimated 336 million servings consumed each year, tuna is a staple in most Australian households, making this shift one of the most consequential changes in Australia’s grocery sector in recent years, according to MSC.
Ecuador Celebrates Tuna Day
The city of Manta will host the 2026 World Tuna Festival, which combines gastronomy, culture, tourism, and entertainment, reported local news sites. The festival will kick off with cultural activities such as La Murgatún, a parade full of music and color that winds through the city streets. A sand sculpture contest and football and running events are all planned. Gastronomy remains the main focus with “CocinaTún”, where chefs and participants prepare dishes live, highlighting the versatility of tuna in Ecuadorian cuisine.
Earlier this week, the Tuna Conservation Group (TUNACONS) celebrated the anniversary of World Tuna Day and its 10-year trajectory, highlighting the progress achieved in sustainability, science, technology, and sector-wide collaboration within the tuna industry.
Grupomar Boosts Tuna Protection
In commemoration of World Tuna Day, Mexican company Grupomar reaffirmed its commitment to sustainability and called for strengthening collective awareness on the importance of protecting marine resources, alongside concrete actions that generate a positive impact on the conservation of the species. Grupomar pointed out that progress in tuna sustainability in Mexico takes place in a highly regulated model based on scientific evidence, in coordination with authorities such as CONAPESCA and the Mexican Institute for Fisheries and Aquaculture Research (INAPESCA), among others. As part of this framework, all tuna vessels of the company have independent observers on board, helping to ensure compliance with best practices for responsible fishing.
Grupomar said that it has consolidated a strategy based on continuous improvement and external validation of its processes, positioning itself as the only tuna company with the highest number of prestigious certifications at both national and international levels.
ISSF Reflects On A Decade Of Progress In Tuna Fisheries
Industry-led International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF) highlighted a decade of sustainability progress in global tuna fisheries. This was due to collaboration between scientists, seafood companies, and fisheries managers, with implementation led by ISSF participating companies across the global tuna supply chain. It highlighted that currently, 97 percent of the world’s commercial tuna catch comes from healthy stocks, and around half of the global tuna catch managed by RFMO harvest strategies. There has also been a significant growth in tuna fisheries meeting or working towards MSC standards.
Sustainable Tuna Growth In UK
MSC UK reported that one in two cans of tuna on UK supermarket shelves are now carries a sustainability certificate. This is a major turnaround for one of the UK’s favorite cupboard staples, according to the MSC UK Tuna Shopper Report 2026 published today. And for the first time, tuna has overtaken cod to become the UK’s top-selling MSC-certified wild-caught seafood species. More availability, stronger commitments from UK retailers, and young shoppers’ demand for sustainable seafood have driven MSC tuna growth in the country.
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