Tinned Fish Guide: Tuna, Salmon & Sardines
Looking for good tinned fish? Our tinned tuna, salmon, sardines, mackerel and oysters come from two brands, Good Fish and The Stock Merchant. All the fish are wild caught, and many are packed in extra virgin olive oil rather than seed oils. Here's how they compare. Every detail comes from the maker's own description.
What to look for
- Wild caught. Every tuna, salmon, sardine and mackerel in our range is wild caught, not farmed.
- How it's caught. Pole-and-line fishing catches tuna one fish at a time. Purse-seine nets are used for schooling fish like sardines. Both are lower-impact than many other methods.
- MSC certification. The blue Marine Stewardship Council label means the fishery has been independently certified against MSC's sustainability standard.
- What it's packed in. Extra virgin olive oil gives a richer, moister fish. Water or brine gives a lighter fish that takes on whatever you add. Many supermarket tins use sunflower, canola or "vegetable" oil instead.
Tuna
| Tin | What goes in | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Good Fish Skipjack Tuna in Olive Oil | Skipjack tuna, organic extra virgin olive oil (35%), salt | Caught in the Canary Islands. |
| Good Fish Skipjack Tuna in Brine | Pole-and-line skipjack tuna, salt | Caught in the Canary Islands. |
| The Stock Merchant Tuna in Organic EVOO | Tuna (70.8%), organic extra virgin olive oil (28%), sea salt | Wild-caught Atlantic tuna, MSC certified. Hand-filleted and packed in Portugal. |
| The Stock Merchant Tuna in Pure Water | Tuna (70%), water (29%), sea salt (1%) | Wild-caught Atlantic tuna, MSC certified. No added oil. |
Salmon
| Tin | What goes in | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Good Fish Alaskan Salmon in Olive Oil | Alaskan salmon, organic extra virgin olive oil (35%), salt | Caught by local fishermen in sustainably managed Alaskan waters. |
| Good Fish Alaskan Salmon in Brine | Alaskan salmon, water, salt | The same salmon, without the oil. |
| The Stock Merchant Wild Alaskan Salmon in EVOO | Wild Alaskan pink salmon, Spanish extra virgin olive oil, spring water, Himalayan pink salt | MSC certified. 806mg omega-3 (EPA + DHA) per 100g, per the label. |
| The Stock Merchant Wild Alaskan Salmon in Springwater | Wild Alaskan pink salmon, spring water, Himalayan pink salt | MSC certified, no added oil. 870mg omega-3 (EPA + DHA) per 100g, per the label. Packed in Thailand. |
Sardines and mackerel
| Tin | What goes in | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| The Stock Merchant Spicy Sardines | Sardines (70.8%), organic extra virgin olive oil, organic chilli, sea salt | MSC certified, purse-seine caught in the Atlantic. Hand-filleted in Portugal. |
| The Stock Merchant Smoky-Style Sardines | Sardines (70.8%), extra virgin olive oil, natural smoke flavour, sea salt | MSC certified. Hand-filleted in Portugal. |
| The Stock Merchant Sardines in Pure Water | Sardines (71%), water (28%), sea salt (1%) | MSC certified, no added oil. |
| Good Fish Mackerel in Olive Oil | Spanish mackerel, organic extra virgin olive oil (35%), salt | Caught in Spain. |
| The Stock Merchant Wild Mackerel in Organic EVOO | Mackerel (70.8%), organic extra virgin olive oil (29%), sea salt | Purse-seine caught, hand-filleted. |
Smoked oysters
| Tin | What goes in | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| The Stock Merchant Smoked Pacific Oysters | Oysters (77%), olive oil (23%) | Ocean-cultivated Pacific oysters. |
| The Stock Merchant Smoked Pacific Oysters with Chilli | Oysters (77%), olive oil (22%), red chilli (1%) | The same oysters with a little heat. |
Browse the full range in our Tinned Fish aisle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is tinned fish in olive oil or water better?
It depends on how you'll use it. Fish in extra virgin olive oil is richer and stays moist, and you can use the oil in a dressing or pasta. Fish in water or brine is lighter and picks up whatever flavours you add, which suits fish cakes and salads.
What does MSC certified mean?
The Marine Stewardship Council label means the fishery has been independently assessed against MSC's standard for sustainable fishing. The Stock Merchant's tuna, sardines and Alaskan salmon all carry it.
Which tinned fish are packed without seed oils?
All of ours. Every tin is packed in extra virgin olive oil, olive oil, water or brine. None use sunflower, canola or vegetable oil.
Is your tinned salmon wild?
Yes. All four salmon tins are wild-caught Alaskan salmon, from Good Fish and The Stock Merchant.
What is skipjack tuna?
Skipjack is a smaller tuna species and the one most often used for tinned tuna. Good Fish skipjack is caught in the Canary Islands, and the brine version is pole-and-line caught.
Are the smoked oysters wild?
No. They're ocean-cultivated (farmed) Pacific oysters.
How long does tinned fish last once opened?
Move any leftovers out of the tin into a covered container, keep them in the fridge, and eat them within a day or two.
How did you check these?
Every detail comes from the maker's own description. Catch areas and certifications can change, so the tin is always the final word.
Last updated 8 November 2026.