In addition to this show of support from the central government, Dr. Leung, head of Hong Kong’s Aquaculture, Fisheries and Conservation department also spoke.
Zhao said that China had been practicing Aquaculture since the 11th century BC, and that in 1980, when Deng Xiaoping launched China’s economic reform campaign, the government made a conscious decision to focus on building up aquaculture over wild-capture fisheries. Under this policy, China produced 5.88 million tons of farmed fish and seafood products in 1988, and this has grown to 15.5 million tons in 2011. Out of this 3.9 million tons is exported. China, according to the FAO, is the only country with a significant wild-capture fishery that produces an even greater quantity from aquaculture.
"We have no choice but to develop the seafood industry in a sustainable way, providing sufficient aquatic products for human beings while striking a balance among population, natural resources and environment," said Zhao.
"China is willing to learn from the other countries’ new solutions to seafood development. We are committed to making new and greater contributions to the sustainability of global seafood market through aquaculture and industrialization," said Zhao.
Other participants at the conference noted that other countries have used quota management to reduce overfishing. China is not taking that path, as the structure of the industry with hundreds of thousands of fishermen and vessels, makes such an effort too unwieldy. Instead, the Chinese government is reducing fishing pressure by introducing a licensing scheme to limit the number and power of fishing vessels; to impose fishing bans and moratoriums, to reduce the overall level of harvests, and to provide incentives for fishermen to switch to other work.
How the Western model of sustainability might work or not work in China has been the overriding theme of the conference. As one Chinese expert put it, China has been successfully farming tilapia for over 2000 years, and so they are not going to be told by outsiders how to make it sustainable, but instead will build on their own traditions.
In the west, the retail model using market incentives, with heavy outside financing from NGO’s, has created strong retailer demand for sustainable seafood, most of which involves 3rd party certification by the MSC, GAA or other scheme.
At a press conference, High Liner CEO Henry Demone, Sea Web President Dawn Martin, and Sustainable Fisheries Partnership CEO Jim Cannon discussed how the Western Model might be applied.
First, all agreed that Asian societies had their own unique cultural approaches to fish and seafood, and that sustainability would have to be achieved in harmony with cultural values.
Jim Cannon described the process as ‘creating win-win’ solutions in individual fisheries, so that the economic or political incentives aligned to benefit all participants. He did not see much difference between North America, Europe and China. Certainly Europe has been as guilty of overfishing and disregarding sustainability a any society on the planet.
He said 'each culture places different values on different aspects of sustainability. For example Japan values assured supply and legality, and it is harder to work on just environmental issues. But in Germany, environmental issues are very important. The key is to find the most important angle to create win wins.”
In China certainly people are beginning to think about environmental issues and sustainability issues and to make progress.
There is a very strong food security argument that is important to the Chinese leadership, and this may be a key entry point in taking action to preserve stocks, and manage aquaculture sustainably. Fish protein is a hugely significant animal protein in the region, and security is an important piece of that.
(seafoo.vasep.com.vn) Ca Mau Province is stepping up efforts to protect aquatic resources and promote transparent and sustainable fisheries, joining the country’s efforts to have the European Commission (EC) remove its “yellow card” warning for illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam has strengthened its position in China’s massive seafood market, becoming the largest lobster supplier while maintaining a dominant share of the country’s imported pangasius.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietfish 2026 was more than just a larger exhibition space. Through B2B meetings, booth discussions, production-chain visits and post-show feedback, businesses and buyers found something more concrete: suitable suppliers, processing capabilities, technology solutions, new markets and a foundation for building long-term trust and partnerships.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports to the United States declined significantly in the first seven months of 2026. Cumulative export value reached US$18 million, down 42% from the same period in 2025. In July alone, exports amounted to just US$2 million, plunging 70%, indicating a clear slowdown in import demand from the US market.
(vasep.com.vn) At the seminar “Global Seafood Markets and the Future Workforce: Trends, Opportunities and Directions for the Sustainable Development of Vietnam’s Fisheries Sector,” held as part of VIETFISH 2026, Ms. Shirlene Maria Anthonysamy, Fisheries Officer (Markets) and GLOBEFISH Coordinator at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), presented initiatives aimed at promoting youth participation in fisheries and aquaculture.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first seven months of 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius exports to the United States reached US$189 million, down 8% year-on-year. In July alone, export value reached US$22 million, down 28%. This trend indicates that U.S. demand for pangasius imports has remained relatively cautious this year, as importers tend to maintain moderate inventory levels and limit stockpiling.
(vasep.com.vn) After three days at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City, the Vietnam International Fisheries Exhibition – VIETFISH 2026 – has successfully concluded, leaving a strong impression in terms of scale, visitor numbers, the quality of business connections, and innovative activities. With more than 14,000 m² of exhibition space, 335 companies, 568 booths, participation from representatives of 17 countries and territories, and nearly 15,000 visitors, VIETFISH 2026 has once again affirmed its role as an important meeting point for Vietnam’s and the global seafood industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Held as part of Vietfish 2026 from August 19–21 at SECC in Ho Chi Minh City, a series of five specialized seminars provided the seafood business community with updates on markets, technology, standards, human resources and cooperation opportunities. With the participation of experts, international organizations, government agencies and businesses from Vietnam and abroad, the seminars created an additional platform for professional exchange alongside the exhibition’s product showcases and business networking activities.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On the morning of August 19, 2026, the Vietnam International Seafood Exhibition – VIETFISH 2026 officially opened at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City. With 568 booths representing 335 companies, alongside the presence of senior government officials, local authorities, diplomatic missions and international partners, VIETFISH 2026 kicks off three days of business networking, technology exchange and market engagement under the overarching theme “Innovation and Sustainability.”
The Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) officially announces that the Vietnam International Seafood Exhibition (Vietfish 2026) will take place from August 19–21, 2026, at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC), Ho Chi Minh City.
VASEP - HIỆP HỘI CHẾ BIẾN VÀ XUẤT KHẨU THỦY SẢN VIỆT NAM
Chịu trách nhiệm: Ông Nguyễn Hoài Nam - Phó Tổng thư ký Hiệp hội
Đơn vị vận hành trang tin điện tử: Trung tâm VASEP.PRO
Trưởng Ban Biên tập: Bà Phùng Thị Kim Thu
Giấy phép hoạt động Trang thông tin điện tử tổng hợp số 138/GP-TTĐT, ngày 01/10/2013 của Bộ Thông tin và Truyền thông
Tel: (+84 24) 3.7715055 – (ext.203); email: kimthu@vasep.com.vn
Trụ sở: Số 7 đường Nguyễn Quý Cảnh, Phường An Phú, Quận 2, Tp.Hồ Chí Minh
Tel: (+84) 28.628.10430 - Fax: (+84) 28.628.10437 - Email: vasephcm@vasep.com.vn
VPĐD: số 10, Nguyễn Công Hoan, Ngọc Khánh, Ba Đình, Hà Nội
Tel: (+84 24) 3.7715055 - Fax: (+84 24) 37715084 - Email: vasephn@vasep.com.vn