SAFCOL TUNA was founded in 1945 by a group of South Australian Fishermen to sell their catch; the first of its kind in Australia. This connection with the craft and the catch has been constant throughout our history.
In general, it is safe for all population groups, including pregnant women, to consume 2-3 serves of any type of tuna per week (canned or fresh). Canned tuna generally has lower levels of mercury than other tuna because the tuna used for canning are smaller species that are generally caught when less than 1 year old.
Sourcing and checks
We now have manufacturing facilities in both Thailand and Indonesia. To ensure we are able to provide the safest and highest quality standards, all our products are only manufactured at world class production facilities.
Best in breed
If the tin doesn't list the type of tuna, don't buy it. Brands with decent credentials include Fish 4 Eva, John West, Safcol and Sirena. Aldi and Coles own-brand cans are OK, too, but check each for breed and catch method.
Area caught
In Australian waters, southern bluefin tuna are found mainly in the Great Australian Bight. They are most commonly caught during the summer months (December to April), but they are also caught off the New South Wales coastline during winter.
Tuna, wild caught in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean using FAD-free Purse Seine fishing methods.
Aquaculture in Australia is the country's fastest growing primary industry, accounting for 34% of the total gross value of production of seafood. 10 species of fish are farmed in Australia, and production is dominated by southern bluefin tuna, Atlantic salmon and barramundi.
No nets. One fish at a time.
Pole and line is a traditional fishing method that relies on individual fishermen using hand held poles. Pole and line fishing is highly selective, meaning that other marine animals are rarely caught, and if they do become caught can be returned to the ocean unharmed.
Skipjack are the smallest of the major tuna species, while yellowfin are larger. So, the fact the canned tuna in Australian cupboards is likely to contain smaller species is already a bonus when it comes to reducing mercury risk.
Sirena made a public commitment in 2010 to source 100% of our tuna across all product ranges by using only a sustainable method for commercial tuna harvesting — Pole and Line Fishing.
SAFCOL TUNA
was founded in 1945 by a group of South Australian Fishermen to sell their catch; the first of its kind in Australia. This connection with the craft and the catch has been constant throughout our history.
Sirena Tuna Quality
Established in 1956 Sirena is still 100% Australian owned.
John West Australia accounts for over 40% of the supply of canned tuna in Australia, most of which is sourced from the West Central Pacific Ocean.
Canned light tuna is the better, lower-mercury choice, according to the FDA and EPA. Canned white and yellowfin tuna are higher in mercury, but still okay to eat. Bigeye tuna should be avoided completely, but that species isn't used for canned tuna anyway.
When buying tuna, opt for skipjack or canned light varieties, which do not harbor as much mercury as albacore or bigeye. You can consume skipjack and canned light tuna alongside other low-mercury species, such as cod, crab, salmon and scallops, as part of the recommended 2–3 servings of fish per week ( 10 ).
Interesting to know: all the pole and line products (except Woolworths') are skipjack tuna, which is significantly lower in mercury than yellowfin (which Sirena is full of).
Mercury Tested
No other brand in the world does this. That is why Safe Catch Elite and Ahi, Wild Yellowfin are proven to meet Consumer Reports “Low Mercury” criteria set for pregnant and nursing women and young children. These products are also the official tuna of the American Pregnancy Association.
Coles Own Brand canned Skipjack and Yellowfin tuna are responsibly sourced which means the following conditions are met: Fish stocks: The fish stock where Coles Own Brand Skipjack and Yellowfin tuna are caught have been independently assessed as part of our Coles Responsibly Sourced Seafood Program.
Australia's premium tuna
Today's Valmorbida family members continue to ensure Sirena meets the standards set more than 60 years ago. Their dream of a great tuna for all Australians remains a reality.
Sirena is an Australian brand of canned premium chunk style tuna which began as a passion for good food and a desire to share great tasting food with the community. After immigrating to Australia in 1949, Carlo Valmorbida and his family embarked on a project to bring Italy's best loved foods to Australia.
Over the past 60 years, Sirena's iconic yellow cans and mermaid logo have become synonymous with quality and amazing taste. The secret lies in Sirena's choice of the finest oil blends and flavoursome tuna loins from freshly caught yellowfin and skipjack tuna. Today, quality and sustainability go hand in hand at Sirena.
Q: Is canned tuna farm raised or wild caught? A: Tuna is a salt-water fish and found in the oceans throughout the world. Most commercially-available canned or pouch tuna is wild caught. Farm raised tuna is relatively new and there are very few tuna farms.
More than 200 different species of seafood are imported into Australia, the most significant species groups being prawns, fish fillets, squid, octopus and tuna, which is mostly canned. Over half of imported fish by value are fresh, chilled or frozen, while approximately 40% arrives in cans.
Other species groups grown in Australia include: abalone, freshwater finfish (such as barramundi, Murray cod, silver perch), brackish water or marine finfish (such as barramundi, snapper, yellowtail kingfish, mulloway, groupers), mussels, ornamental fish, marine sponges, mud crab and sea cucumber.
- Herring, pilchards, whitebait, sardines and anchovies are all wild and will never be farmed.