John West promised its customers that all of its tuna would come from sustainable fishing methods in 2016. But their bosses are breaking that promise, infact they’ve managed a measly 2%.
Destructive tuna fishing by companies like John West are putting ever more pressure on tuna populations, and damaging all kinds of marine animals - including endangered species - which are needlessly killed in the hunt for the tuna we eat.
Here’s 8 species that John West are risking with their big, indiscriminate, nets set around devices called FADs which are used to attract the fish. Here's 8 reasons they need to change their ways.
1. SHARKS:
Sharks are awesome, they come in all shapes and sizes, and have lived in our oceans since the time of the dinosaurs. Hammerhead sharks have 360 degree vision, thresher sharks use their long tail to stun prey, and blue sharks can give birth to over 100 live babies which are known as ‘pups.’ Commercial fishing causes 100 million shark deaths every year
2. BABY TUNA:
Tuna come in different sizes, and baby bigeye and yellowfin sometimes shoal with adult skipjack which are about the same size. Baby tuna are the future, and catching and killing fish before they have had chance to breed is a devastating double whammy for the oceans, fishermen and fish eaters.
3. TURTLES:
Sea turtles are majestic ocean wanderers, cruising between shallow coastal lagoons, stopping by seamounts and crossing vast oceans on high seas highways, only ever returning to land to lay eggs. The massive leatherback turtle can grow as large as a double bed, on a diet of mostly jellyfish, whilst the gentle.
4. BILL FISH:
The billfish are stunning ocean predators that are most recognised by their sword-like noses. They are strong, and fast, with the spectacular sailfish taking the record as the fastest fish in the ocean, managing swimming speeds of over 60mph.
5. WHALE SHARKS:
Whale sharks are gentle giants, the biggest fish in the sea, with an adult being roughly the same length as a double decker bus. These slow-growing, gentle filter-feeders eat tiny plankton, and are harmless to humans.
6. FISH:
In the open ocean fish like jacks, Mahi Mahi and rainbow runners are found in tropical seas and often hang around with schools of tuna. Many tropical fish have stunning colours and patterns, with rainbow runners being named for their colourful stripes.
7. SMALL WHALES:
Although they are often overlooked and poorly understood, there are lots of species of small whales in the world’s oceans, often travelling in social groups, communicating closely, and feeding together on small fish or squid. Pilot whales are a particularly sociable species, with large family groups which stick closely together and look after each other when sick or injured.
8. DOLPHINS:
Playful dolphins are the most recognisable small members of the whale family, they often seek out boats and humans at sea, which makes them seem very friendly. Dolphin pods can range from just a few animals, to many thousands in a group. They range from just over a metre long to 4 metres or more in length.
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