Thuna is literally on everyone’s lips. Almost two thirds (63.3 %) of the Germans eat tuna at least once a month, the result of a representative survey, which the market research institute Appinio on behalf of the MSC (Marine Stewardship Council) carried out from April 4 to 7, 2025 among 1201 people in Germany. Viewed worldwide, Thunfisch is one of the most in demand fish species.
The MSC, a nonprofit organization that is fighting for sustainable fishing and against overfishing, is therefore committed to many for years with special sustainability in tuna fishing. So a lot of movement came – and now finally culminated in a big leap towards healthier stocks, more responsible fishing and more sustainability in the supermarkets and thus on the plate.
So here five Good News on World Thun Fish Day 2025:
1. Good news from the sea: Most tuna stocks are not overfished
While the global overfishing continues to increase, a different picture is shown in the tuna: its stocks develop significantly positively – and that worldwide! Of the 23 commercially used tuna stocks, only two (8.6 %) are currently considered overfished. An improvement by around 10 % only compared to the previous year. Particularly relevant for consumers in Germany who mainly eat tuna from the can: the Take beautifulthe type of manfish that is used for dosenthunfish is not overfished in any ocean. A proof that sustainable fishing works.
2. Positive trend on board: More and more tuna catches come from sustainable fishing
The proportion of tuna catches from sustainable fishing has increased noticeably in recent years: While today 53 % of all tuna catches come from environmentally friendly, MSC-certified fishing, it was not even half as many (22 %) in 2018. More than 70 concrete improvements to protect the oceans and tuna stocks have implemented these fishing in the past four years. What is behind this change? Better international regulation of tuna traps, research and investments in more environmentally friendly fishing methods, better controls and an incentive for fishing for more sustainability that assumes retail and consumers.
3. Big step in German retail: The proportion of sustainable tuna in the supermarket has increased to 82%
Sustainability works – and changes the industry measurably. After years of rethinking, the majority (82 percent) of the tuna sold in the German retail (conserving product categories, freezing, frozen and cooling) from sustainable fishing dated for the first time in 2025. The German retail is thus a global pioneer in tuna sustainability. If the brand manufacturers Follow-Food, Hawesta and Fishtales had long since switched to sustainable, MSC-certified tuna, the large German supermarkets and discounters have now also attracted their own brands with their important ones. This is unique in the world and a milestone for responsible tuna use.
4. Affordable variety for consumers
The growing proportion of sustainable tuna products also increases the selection and variety of products for sustainability -conscious chefs and cooks. Whether for the fast Salad with dosent tuna Or the refined one Poke Bowl with marinated yellow finish: The local tuna range now enables a sustainable choice for every claim – and there is also something for every wallet. But be careful with action goods and special offers: Here, too, consumers should not do without sustainable origin of the product! For example, you can see them from the blue MSC seal.
5. Gunfish is healthy: News about nutritional values, proteins and mercury risk
According to the current survey of the Appinio market research institute, 63% of German tuna on behalf of the MSC perceive as “healthy” (50.3 percent) and/or as a “high -quality protein source” (40.4 percent). In fact, with 22 to 29 g protein per 100 g of fish, tuna has a higher protein content than most other fish species. There are also valuable omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins (B3, B12, D) as well as selenium, iodine and iron-good for heart, circulation, immune system and metabolism. Practical: These nutrients are also preserved in the can.
There is also good news for consumers who are unsettled by the subject of mercury pollution: for the real bonito – the usual tuna in the can – recent tests showed harmless values for all can samples on the German market5. Smaller, more short -lived tuna types such as the real Bonito basically run less danger of enriching pollutants than large species such as the bluefless tuna. But high consumption quantities would also be necessary for the larger types of tuna in order to get a health -hazardous stress level through mercury.
High consumption quantities are already taboo from an ecological point of view: In order for tuna to remain a reliable nutrient supplier for the world population and for future generations, we should see it as a delicacy and prevent its stocks from being overfished. Only healthy stocks ensure healthy eating!
Source and further information: MSC tuna report 2025
Photos and infographics: Download
Notes:
Tuna in retail:
On page 16, you can read how the individual brand manufacturers and supermarkets have cut off in tuna ranking MSC tuna report 2025
Overfishing:
The proportion of over -fishing stocks has recently increased by 2.3% and is currently 37.7% worldwide. In the tuna, the overfishing has recently declined by 10% and currently only 8.6% of the global stocks are overfished. ((FAO Sofia 2024; ISSF 2025).
Of the 23 tuna stands that are fished commercially, 15 are in good condition, six are at a medium level and only two – the blue -free tuna in the Pacific and the Großaugenthunfisch in the Indian Ocean.
18 of the 23 tuna stocks are now subject to good fishing management with clear management rules. In 2019 there were only 6. These rules are particularly important in the tuna because its stocks move over huge distances and are fished at the same time by many countries.
Mercury:
Mercury gets into the sea through industrial emissions, can accumulate via the food chain in predatory fish and damage the nervous system in the human body. According to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), the limit for humans is 1.3 micrograms of methyl mercury per kilo of body weight. For adults with 70 kg body weight this means that up to five doses per week would be unproblematic in terms of health. ((Federal Institute for Risk AssessmentMay 2024).