Choose sustainable Southern Bluefin Tuna with Dinko Seafoods

Bluefin tuna underwater

With Dinko Seafoods, you can be sure you are choosing sustainable Southern Bluefin Tuna.

Not only did we lead the way in sustainable fishing methods, but our innovative tuna farming practice shaped an entire industry.

Today, the Australian Southern Bluefin Tuna fisheries are one of the most sustainable on the planet, and we have been at the forefront of the development of a sustainable fishery in Australia.

Fishermen harvesting tuna fish

A brief history of Southern Bluefin Tuna fishing

In 1984, when unrestricted fishing had depleted the population of Southern Bluefin Tuna in our oceans, the Commission for the Conservation of Southern Bluefin Tuna (CCSBT) cut tuna fishing quotas and income by two-thirds, to help the sustainability of the species.

Dinko Lukin, the founder of Dinko Seafoods, pioneered the ground-breaking idea of farming Southern Bluefin Tuna, using the innovative ‘catch and ranch’ method.

From sea to table, the fish are kept free from distress and allowed to grow to maturity in the ocean with high-quality feed.

This method increases the fishers’ quota as the limit on their catch is determined by the weight of the fish caught in the wild, with any weight gained in captivity as a bonus.

Dinko Lukin’s solution not only helped the regeneration of Southern Bluefin Tuna in the wild but is now the internationally accepted method for Bluefin Tuna farming.

This deep commitment to protecting our oceans and our positive relationships with Southern Bluefin Tuna fishing countries (including Japan and New Zealand) have enabled us to not only meet but exceed government-set targets in sustainable Bluefin Tuna… fifteen years early!

The latest data from the CCSBT indicates a strong recovery of the wild population of Southern Bluefin Tuna and it is now a sustainable fishery, with stocks growing yearly.

Drone photo of an open sea fish farm

Sustainability measures

Our focus perpetually remains on innovation and sustainability… in every sector of our operation.

At Dinko Seafoods, we use sustainable farming methods to harvest our catch. That’s why we choose to feed our Bluefin Tuna on a diet of premium, sustainable MSC-certified South Australian sardines.

Our fisheries also comply with strict quota programs of State and Federal Governments, to ensure the sustainability of the industry.

These government bodies regularly conduct water quality audits and assess the local marine ecosystems in the region to guarantee the industry’s clean, green reputation.

We are also proud to be part of the ‘Adopt a Beach’ program to monitor, clean up and minimise the impact of debris on the Spencer Gulf coastline.

Industry accreditations

Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)

The MSC mission is to end overfishing and restore Southern Bluefin Tuna stocks for future generations – something we are very passionate about here at Dinko Seafoods.

We are proud to display the blue MSC label on our products to show that we meet international fishery standards for fish stocks including minimising our environmental impact.

MSC accreditation is the gold standard that fisheries worldwide aspire to.

Commission for the Conversation of Southern Bluefin Tuna

The Commission for the Conservation of Southern Bluefin Tuna (CCSBT) is an intergovernmental organisation responsible for the management of Southern Bluefin Tuna throughout its distribution. The Commission’s objective is to ensure, through appropriate management, the conservation and optimum utilisation of Southern Bluefin Tuna.

Members of the Extended Commission are Australia, the European Union, the Fishing Entity of Taiwan, Indonesia, Japan, the Republic of Korea, New Zealand and South Africa.

Friend of the Sea

Dinko Seafoods also has accreditation by Friend of the Sea, the only sustainable fisheries certification program recognised and supervised globally by a national accreditation body.

Several benchmarks have confirmed the strength and reliability of the Friend of the Sea certification and chain of custody.

In consultation with stakeholders, independent international certification bodies carry out yearly onsite audits against strict Friend of the Sea environmental sustainability and social accountability criteria.

Dolphin Safe

Dinko Seafoods is one of the very few Australian seafood suppliers that has a membership to the Earth Island Institute Dolphin Safe Tuna program.

Since the program launched in 1990, dolphin deaths in tuna nets have reduced by 99%. And we are proud to be part of driving that change in keeping dolphins safe in the tuna farming process.

As a member of the Dolphin Safe program, our equipment, procedures and policies must pass annual assessment by the Earth Island Institute.

Make a sustainable seafood choice

As pioneers in global tuna farming practice, we use a self-managed and sustainable approach to all our processes. Passionate about ensuring a sustainable future for the fish we farm, our fishing practices are all about sustainability – we want many generations to come to enjoy them as much as we do.

The result for you is a premium quality product, every time.

To make a wholesale order, contact us today.