A bit fishy: Greenpeace hits out

AT LEAST 10 per cent of John West's tuna catch is made up of other marine life, with a host of sea creatures killed because the company uses outdated and destructive fishing methods, Greenpeace will claim this week.

By InvestSMART · 21 Oct 2012

By InvestSMART ·
21 Oct 2012

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Greenpeace's annual survey judged the producers on species of tuna and where caught, how well their products could be traced to the original fishery, their catch methods and if they had indicated whether they would stop using certain fishing practices.

About 250 million cans of tuna are sold in Australia every year and decisions taken by the big brands have a big impact on our oceans, the environment group said.

Tomorrow Greenpeace launches a campaign attacking the company's fishing methods and the unnecessary killing of the bycatch that includes sharks, rays, baby tuna and endangered sea turtles. As part of the national campaign, Greenpeace will release Canned Tuna Guide, to help consumers make an informed choice.

Greenpeace said the main attack was on John West because of the volume of tuna it takes, which in turn means the company accounts for the largest volume of bycatch.

"Australians would be horrified if they knew the real cost of John West," said Greenpeace Ocean Campaigner Nathaniel Pelle.

Fish 4 Ever, which tops the rating, usse only locally owned coastal fisheries in West Africa and closely monitors fish stocks, Greenpeace said. Ranked second was Safcol, followed by Greenseas, IGA and John West, ahead of the supermarket chains Coles and Woolworths.

Greenpeace is demanding that John West commit to stop using "fish aggregating devices" - floating objects that are used to attract fish of all types - and giant nets that result in the high level of bycatch.

Greenpeace said at least 10 per cent of each haul was bycatch - 10 times higher than that of nets set without FADs, it said.

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Frequently Asked Questions about this Article…

What does Greenpeace allege about John West's tuna and bycatch?

Greenpeace claims John West's tuna catches include at least 10% bycatch and that outdated, destructive fishing methods result in the unnecessary killing of sharks, rays, baby tuna and endangered sea turtles.

Which canned tuna brands ranked highest and lowest in Greenpeace's annual survey?

Greenpeace's survey ranked Fish 4 Ever first, followed by Safcol, Greenseas, IGA and John West, with the supermarket brands Coles and Woolworths placed below them in the ratings.

What criteria did Greenpeace use to judge canned tuna producers in its survey?

The survey evaluated tuna producers by species and where the tuna was caught, how well products could be traced to the original fishery, the catch methods used, and whether companies indicated they would stop certain harmful fishing practices.

What are fish aggregating devices (FADs) and why is Greenpeace asking John West to stop using them?

FADs are floating objects used to attract fish of many types. Greenpeace says FADs, combined with giant nets, lead to much higher levels of bycatch and is demanding John West commit to stop using them.

How many cans of tuna are sold in Australia each year and why does Greenpeace say brand decisions matter?

About 250 million cans of tuna are sold in Australia annually, and Greenpeace says decisions taken by big brands have a big impact on ocean health because of that large volume.

What is Greenpeace's 'Canned Tuna Guide' and how can it help consumers?

Greenpeace's Canned Tuna Guide is a national campaign resource intended to help consumers make informed choices about canned tuna by highlighting differences in species, traceability and fishing methods among brands.

Which species did Greenpeace say are commonly killed as bycatch in these tuna operations?

Greenpeace highlighted that bycatch from some tuna operations includes sharks, rays, baby tuna and endangered sea turtles.

Why should everyday investors or consumers pay attention to the Greenpeace tuna campaign?

The Greenpeace campaign targets high-volume producers like John West and highlights traceability and fishing-method risks; because around 250 million cans are sold in Australia each year, the campaign could influence consumer sentiment and brand reputations, which is relevant information for everyday investors and buyers monitoring sustainability issues.