(vasep.com.vn) In the first months of this year, tuna exports reported a positive growth despite a lot of hardships to which seafood exports have been exposed in general.
However, tuna sector is still coping with many big concerns. In the first two months of 2013, Vietnam seafood exports reached US$778.5 million, representing a year-on-year decline of 0.6 percent. However, tuna exports saw an impressive growth of 33 percent with a revenue of US$98.5 million in Jan-Feb 2013.
According to VASEP, strong growth in tuna exports were attributable to increasing global demand exceeding the supply. In 2012 and the first months of 2013, tuna catch volume saw a strong reduction in many fishing grounds in the world.
In the early 2013, National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has proposed to set up fishing quota for bluefin tuna in Eastern Tropical Pacific Ocean (ETP). Accordingly, in 2013, tuna fishing will stop after the quota of 10,000 MT was met. Many major fishing grounds in the world are temporarily closed or their fish stocks reported a sharp decrease.
Tuna consumption is witnessing a recovery. In the late 2012, EU – one of large consumers of tuna in the world – decided to increase an annual 22,000 MT duty-free tuna quota (from 15,000 MT) for the period 2013 – 2016. Vietnam is one of tuna suppliers that benefit from the decision.
Strong growth in tuna exports were mainly due to good tuna landings this year. The Government and fishermen strengthened investing into fishing vessels which led to a sharp increase in catch volume, Nguyen Thi Thu Sac, Chairwoman of VASEP Marine Product Committee said.
Tuna landings in 2013 are expected to reach a record level of 17,000-18,000 MT. Increase in tuna production helps Vietnam seafood exports gain momentum because tuna is a high value fish, Mr. Vu Dinh Dap, Chairman of the Vietnam Tuna Association showed.
Despite high catch, tuna quality is not good as before. Before, fishermen use longline for tuna catching (catch tuna from the depth of 70 - 100 meters): Low productivity but high quality. Now they shifted to catch tuna using pole and line: High productivity but lower quality.
To ensure a sustainable development for tuna sector, it is important to find out the best method of fishing and preserving to keep tuna’s good quality before processing, Nguyen Thu Sac continued.