Our commitment to sustainability is paramount to our business: 100% of our tuna is pole and line caught. Pole and line is the most sustainable catching method presently available and means catching fish by hand, one at a time.
Our supply of tuna is fully traceable. Through our stringent traceability processes we do not source fish caught on illegal fishing vessels or use processors who have unsafe, unfair or illegal labour practices. Sirena is 100 percent transparent on the source of fish used across all of our product ranges.
Highly effective capture techniques
Bluefin tuna are caught by trawl, hook (handline, troll, longline) or in “traps” (fixed traps near the coast) but they are mostly caught by tuna seiners. In the Mediterranean, more than 90% of bluefin tuna catches are made using this method.
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).
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.
Don't pay much attention to "wild-caught" or "dolphin-safe." Wild-caught just means the tuna wasn't farmed—and with canned tuna, it usually isn't.
Sirena Tuna is made with only the highest quality ingredients, including our premium oil blends and high specification tuna. Our commitment to sustainability is paramount to our business: 100% of our tuna is pole and line caught.
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.
Sirena. 100% pole-and-line, but uses yellowfin and tonggol tuna, and has poor labelling that doesn't specify the species.
A crew of fishermen hoists a giant bluefin tuna aboard their boat. A bluefin can become so hot as it struggles against capture that it can literally cook itself; to avoid this, fishermen will rake the fish's gills and bleed it out.
Dragging is a crucial step of the process which is often neglected. Dragging is when you tail-rope your tuna and drag it behind the boat at a slow pace. This process allows your catch to cool down as they have just fought a hard battle, and their internal temperature has risen well beyond average.
The tail is the first place to chill down, so it should be the best looking part of the fish. Next, a core sample is taken from right underneath the fin all the way through the belly. This is the last part to chill and also the last to go bad, making it a great indication of quality.
Simply Balanced skipjack and albacore tuna. Under its Simply Balanced brand, Target sources skipjack and albacore from pole and line fisheries that result in negligible impacts on other marine life.
Canned tuna brands to look for
Jude, Mind Fish Co., Ocean Naturals, Safe Catch, Wild Planet, and Whole Foods 365 are brands that offer Best Choice, Good Alternative, or certified canned tuna.
Sirena Tuna Quality
Established in 1956 Sirena is still 100% Australian owned.
Skipjack and canned light tuna, which are relatively low in mercury, can be eaten as part of a healthy diet. However, albacore, yellowfin and bigeye tuna are high in mercury and should be limited or avoided.
Best in breed
Look for pole- and-line-caught tuna, which are hooked one by one, avoiding by-catch. Think twice about yellowfin, which is generally less sustainable than skipjack. 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.
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.
Not only is it lower in sodium and other additives, it's a good source of omega-3 fats and a great way to add protein to your lunch! Compared to canned fish, the vacuum-sealed pouches also have a fresher flavor and texture.
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.
Safe Catch Elite Tuna, simply the lowest mercury tuna of any brand.
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.
While they're both highly nutritious, salmon comes out ahead due to its healthy omega-3 fats and vitamin D. Meanwhile, tuna is the winner if you're instead looking for more protein and fewer calories per serving.
Canned tuna originates from the same source as fresh tuna—with real tuna. Much of the canned tuna that you'll find in your grocery store shelves comes from the Pacific Ocean.