A WORLD-FIRST FOR SUSTAINABILITY

Australia’s Southern Bluefin Tuna Purse Seine Fishery Achieves MSC Certification

In a historic first, the Australian Southern Bluefin Tuna Industry Association (ASBTIA) has had their purse seine fishery certified as sustainable to the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) standard – a significant milestone for a sought-after species once severely overfished.

The historic achievement by the Australian Southern Bluefin Tuna Industry Association (ASBTIA) highlights the success of long-term, science-based fisheries management, international cooperation, and vigorous quota enforcement. It also reflects the remarkable recovery of SBT caught off Australia, which has now been removed from Australia’s Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) list of threatened species.

Southern Bluefin Tuna plays a key economic role in Port Lincoln, South Australia, and is prized globally for its quality and rich flavour — especially in high-end Japanese sushi and sashimi markets.

With MSC certification, the fishery now meets the growing demand for eco-labelled, sustainably sourced seafood, offering global buyers and consumers’ confidence in its sustainability credentials.

The MSC’s independent assessment evaluates fisheries on stock health, ecosystem impact, and management. ASBTIA’s certification is a beacon for what’s possible when science guides industry practice.

Quote attributable to Marcus Stehr – Managing Director of Stehr Group Pty Ltd: “Marine Stewardship Council certification for our industry has been a long time coming and means so much to us. This accreditation is a milestone event for our industry.”

Why It Matters:

• World-first MSC certification for Southern Bluefin Tuna
• Demonstrates that recovery is possible for highly valued species
• Builds global trust in sustainable fisheries through the MSC certification
• Signals that economic value and ecological sustainability can go hand in hand
• Opens new export opportunities in Europe, Asia, and eco-conscious markets

Media Contacts at SEG

Kylie Petherick – CFO, Stehr Group Pty Ltd: kylie@stehrgroup.net / +61 400 160 465.

Daniel Casement – CEO, Australian Southern Bluefin Tuna Industry Association: ceo@asbtia.org.

About Stehr Group Pty Ltd

Stehr Group is a family-owned company spanning three generations with a heritage of over 50 years of fishing the vast open waters of the Southern Ocean. As pioneers in the SBT industry, the company has evolved to become one of the leading aquaculture companies in Australia.

Stehr group is based in Port Lincoln on the Eyre Peninsula which is widely acknowledged as a prime region for aquaculture and pristine water quality.

SBT are intensively fed and harvested to supply high quality sashimi for the world market. We are a catch to plate company who control the entire process to ensure the highest quality product.