tuna is back at itsu - and for all the right reasons.

In 2022, we removed tuna from our menus because we recognised that it was being overfished, particularly in the Indian Ocean. We wanted to protect tuna for the future and saw no alternative but to act.

Our customers continue to ask us for tuna, but they want it to be genuinely sustainable.  We have carried out exhaustive research over the past twelve months and we are now delighted to say that sustainable tuna can come back on our menu.

Our Yellowfin tuna will only be fished via long line, supporting the return of bycatch. Which will come from the Western & Central Pacific Oceans where the Government of South Korea has in the last few years passed legislation to regulate fishing practices that ensure the sustainability of Yellowfin. 

We have identified responsible supply partners in South Korea who adhere to our stringent approach to sustainable fishing practises. They are all approved by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) https://www.msc.org/species/tuna, the Western & Central Pacific Fisheries commission https://www.wcpfc.int/home and the Global Tuna Alliance https://www.globaltunaalliance.com/. The Yellowfin population is not overfished and fishing is happening at sustainable levels.

We take the sourcing of all our products seriously and go to great lengths to ensure we are doing things the right way.  If you have any questions please contact our tuna expert; Mark.Mason@itsu.com.

 

 

Further reading

The MSC is committed to ending overfishing, ensuring that tuna fisheries meet rigorous standards for healthy fish stocks, responsible fishing practices, and minimal environmental impact. The MSC certification program rewards sustainable fishing to help end overfishing, ensuring the impact on ecosystems and bycatch is proactively limited.https://www.msc.org/species/tuna

The Western & Central Pacific Fisheries Commission continues effective commitment to the sustainability of both Yellowfin and Big Eye tuna through legally binding practices which it continuously monitors. https://www.wcpfc.int/home

The Global Tuna Alliance is an independent group of retailers and supply chain companies, who are on a mission to transform global tuna fisheries through the implementation of innovative and sustainable solutions that protect marine ecosystems and enhance the livelihoods of all stakeholders involved in the fishing and processing of our tuna. https://www.globaltunaalliance.com/