MNN - Mother Nature Network

Wild Planet sent me a few cans of its sustainably caught tuna to taste test with my family. Their tuna is pole and troll caught, methods that do a minimum amount of damage to the ecosystems in the sea when fishing for tuna while creating no by-catch.

 

Several independent eco-organizations that rate or recommend sustainable seafood, including Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch program, Blue Ocean Institute, World Wildlife Fund (WWF), and Greenpeace all give Wild Planet tuna high marks.

 

Wild Planet says its tuna has a higher level of the healthy omega 3 than many mainstream brands because the company cook the tuna once in the can and all the natural omega 3s stay intact. Some brands cook their tuna outside the can, draining off the omega 3 to create supplements. Wild Planet Albacore tunas contain 1,384 mg omega 3 per 2-ounce serving, about 140 percent of recommended daily value by the American Heart Association.

 

The tuna also is lower in mercury than many other brands because Wild Planet catches smaller, younger fish. The longer a fish lives, the more time it has to naturally accumulate mercury.

 

So the tuna is sustainably caught, recommended by some reputable organizations, and packs some good nutrition. And, it also comes in BPA-free cans. But, how does it taste?

 

I’m not a tuna eater, but my husband and oldest son are. They say it tastes like tuna — good tuna. I used it to make tuna salad for New Jersey Diner Style Tuna Melts, and they were well-received (especially with the perfectly ripe, local Jersey tomato I used).

 

You can purchase Wild Planet tuna and other Wild Planet products directly from the company website. Six (5-ounce) cans of the Sustainably Caught Wild Albacore Tuna sell for $29.95 or $4.99/can. My local Wegmans sells it for $3.29/can.

 

Wild Planet also sent me two cans of sardines. I’ve never used sardines in anything before. Does anyone have any suggestions for me?