Cape Town, South Africa, holds host to the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tuna (ICCAT) annual meeting that started today and will continue until November, 25. Over 500 delegates from over 50 countries have convened for the 23rd regular meeting. The agenda will see the EU highlight the need for ICCAT to continue its path towards better compliance and enforcement to ensure management decisions are fully in line with scientific data.

(vasep.com.vn) According to Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, aquaculture production in May 2012 was estimated to reach 310,000 MT, bringing the total aquaculture production in the first 5 months of 2012 to 1,016,000 MT, up 5 percent over that of the same period of 2011.

(vasep.com.vn) Phu Yen People’s Committee has approved a plan on reorganizing the provincial tuna fishing industry by 2015 and orrientation towards 2020.

(vasep.com.vn) In December 2013, two Japanese experts will visit and help fishermen in Binh Dinh province enhance tuna fishing and preserving method.

Prices for skipjack tuna in auction in Bangkok, Thailand are continuing to fall, having been at just under $2,400 per-metric-ton in April, an all-time high.

French canned tuna imports increased by 11% in the 12 months up to the end of September this year, with the strongest increases from Ecuador and the Ivory Coast.

(vasep.com.vn) In the second quarter of 2014, Vietnam Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) will pour investment in building a new market for tuna auctions in the port of Hon Ro, in Nha Trang city, according to the Directorate of Fisheries.

In the first six months of this year

The future sustainability of the global tuna industry will be at the core of this year’s INFOFISH-TUNA 2014 Conference, the largest gathering of tuna industry players from all over the world. Preparations for the event, which is to be held from 21-23 May in Bangkok, are well underway. “Working together towards a sustainable industry” is the central theme.

In 2013, canned tuna imports into the US fell to seven year lows. From June to November 2013, the amount of canned tuna shipped into the US has hit lower levels than imports of the last six years. Currently, no December import figures are available yet for comparison.

China and South Korea are becoming the newly emerging bluefin markets, as South Australia’s tuna exports to the two countries soar dramatically. The region’s tuna industry has said the new export boom is boosting flagging prices and attracting interest from Chinese investors.

Following shrimp and Pangasius tuna

(vasep.com.vn) In 2013, exports of processed tuna products hit US$233 million, rising 22 percent and making up 48 percent of the country’s total tuna exports. While exports of dried/frozen/live/fresh tuna products hit US$257 million, down 22 percent with the proportion of 52 percent.

(vasep.com.vn) In 2013, Khanh Hoa province exported its tuna to 14 markets with export turnover of US$97 million, down 45 percent in volume and 62 percent in value over 2012. In the year, together with decline in tuna export price, the market share of Khanh Hoa tuna in importing markets was slashed.