A Sunshine Coast tuna brand is set to expand its reach on the national and international stage.
Walker’s Tuna has been shortlisted for an Australian award and will launch into the United States market for the first time.
Walker’s Tuna is Australia’s only wild-caught tuna brand with Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification available in major supermarkets and was the first company in the Southern Hemisphere to achieve certification for tuna and swordfish.
The blue fish tick label guarantees the product is traceable, responsibly caught and supports healthy marine ecosystems.
Founder Heidi Walker said the certification set Walker’s Tuna apart.
“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,” she said.
“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.”
Ms Walker said the nomination for Best Sustainable Seafood Brand at the Sustainable Seafood Awards Australia 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,” she 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.”
Walker’s Tuna is also set to make its international debut, with Ms Walker travelling to Los Angeles 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.”
Federal MP for Fisher Andrew Wallace joined Ms Walker at Mooloolaba to urge Sunshine Coast locals and Queenslanders to vote for the brand before public voting for the award closes on Friday, February 27. The winners will be announced on March 27.
“Walker’s Tuna is not just a Sunshine Coast success story, it’s an Australian one,” he 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.”
Help keep independent and fair Sunshine Coast news coming by subscribing to our FREE daily news feed. All it requires is your email at the bottom of this article.
He said the MSC certification was significant.
“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.”
“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.”
Mr Wallace added that Ms Walker’s trip to the United States would be “a huge step for Walker’s Tuna and for our region.”
“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 in the 2026 Sustainable Seafood Awards is free, and voters can go in the running to win a $500 supermarket gift card.
