SUNSHINE COAST TUNA BRAND TAKES ON THE NATION AND THE WORLD

MEDIA RELEASE 24 February 2026

Federal Member for Fisher Andrew Wallace has thrown his support behind Sunshine Coast-based Walker’s Tuna, which has been shortlisted for Australia’s Most Sustainable Seafood Brand at the 2026 Sustainable Seafood Awards, with public voting closing this Friday, 27 February at midnight.

Mr Wallace joined Walker’s Tuna founder Heidi Walker at Mooloolaba this week to urge Sunshine Coast locals and Queenslanders to vote for the homegrown brand before voting closes.

“Walker’s Tuna is not just a Sunshine Coast success story, it’s an Australian one,” Mr Wallace said. “Heidi and Pavo Walker have built something truly special, and this nomination is well deserved recognition of their commitment to sustainable fishing and quality Australian product.”

Walker’s Tuna is Australia’s only wild-caught tuna brand with MSC (Marine Stewardship Council) certification available in major supermarkets and was the first company in the Southern Hemisphere to achieve MSC certification for tuna and swordfish. The MSC blue fish tick label guarantees the product is traceable, responsibly caught, and supports healthy marine ecosystems.

“Most tuna on supermarket shelves, you don’t know where it’s come from. It could be Vietnam, it could be anywhere in the world,” Mr Wallace said. “With Walker’s Tuna, you know it’s been caught right here in Australian waters by a Sunshine Coast family who does the right thing, not just for today, but for future generations.”

Heidi Walker said the nomination was a proud moment for the business and for the region.

“Being shortlisted for this award is really important for the Sunshine Coast because it truly is a Sunshine Coast brand and a Queensland product,” Ms Walker said. “It shows that we can take on the big guys, have a chance, and prove to people that you can have a beautiful Australian tuna product. You don’t have to eat tuna from overseas.”

Ms Walker said MSC certification was what set Walker’s Tuna apart from competitors.

“A lot of tuna brands will say on their labels that they are sustainable, but unless you have credible backing by something like MSC, which is the largest sustainable seafood label in the world, then it’s just marketing. We’ve had that certification since 2015 and we were the first in the Southern Hemisphere to achieve it for tuna and swordfish. That means something.”

The news comes as Walker’s Tuna prepares to make its international debut, with Heidi Walker travelling to Los Angeles this week for G’Day USA, the 20th anniversary celebration of Australia’s flagship cultural and trade event in America. Walker Seafoods is a sponsor of the event, and the product will be offered for sale in the United States for the first time, marking a significant milestone for the business and for Sunshine Coast exports.

“There is not one single Australian tuna company with a retail brand in America, so we decided we would be the first,” Ms Walker said. “It’s been a big challenge and it’s not a cheap thing to do, but I’m confident that Americans want to eat our sustainable albacore tuna. It’s an all Australian product going into the American market and we couldn’t be more excited.”

“It’s a huge step for Walker’s Tuna and for our region,” Mr Wallace added. “I’ve been proud to support Heidi and Pavo over the years, including through some tough times during COVID when getting Australian product into the US market was an enormous challenge. It’s tremendously exciting to see them now hitting their stride.”

Walker’s Tuna products are available at Woolworths, IGA, Harris Farm, and independent retailers across the Sunshine Coast and beyond. The brand was recently voted the number one tuna brand in supermarkets by the Delicious team.

Voting for Walker’s Tuna in the 2026 Sustainable Seafood Awards is free, takes just moments, and voters can go in the running to win a $500 supermarket gift card.

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Vote before midnight Friday 27 February at: https://tinyurl.com/walkerstuna