M&J Seafood bans sale of Bluefin tuna

The company has decided to ban all shark products from its portfolio and is making extra efforts to support and promote sustainable and ethical sourcing. Bluefin has become a threatened species worldwide. The European Commission suspended the fishing of it in the eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean last year. Mike Berthet, group director fish and seafood, commented on the company's decision to remove all Bluefin from its offering: "This is something we expect other suppliers and retailers to follow…We're looking at saying goodbye to Bluefin tuna as a living species unless action is taken to protect the planet's remaining stock." He added: "Chefs are in essence the gatekeepers of the seafood industry and we as suppliers, are the locksmiths in that we need to empower them with the knowledge and tools they need in turn to educate their customers. "We can still enjoy tuna on our menus if it is Yellowfin or Albacore for instance, but the industry need to present a united front as we all have an enormous responsibility to support sustainable practices and reverse current trends." M&J Seafood announced the ban of Bluefin tuna yesterday (19 May).