Canned Tuna - History

 

Canned tuna

Tuna was first canned in the early 20th century. Up until then, the sardine was the only fish placed in cans. But in 1903, a shortfall in the sardine catch off the coast of southern California saw a number of enterprising cannery owners start packing tuna into the empty sardine cans. A new industry was created.

 

Market leaders

THE WWF notes the majority of the market is made up of four species: skipjack alone account for more than half of the global catch of tuna, followed by yellowfin, bigeye, and albacore.