The quota is not expected to affect fishers adversely. “The catch quota, if it is once set, possibly leads into the declining trend gradually unless the stock condition shows recovery,” the Organisation for the Promotion of Responsible Tuna Fisheries (OPRT) warned. “It is natural for fishers to believe that they eventually face the strict regulation and they want to avoid such management measures.”
As the bluefin tuna harvest in IATTC waters recently remained at 4,000 tonnes annually while the harvest had reached 7,800 tonnes in 2010 and 3,200 tonnes in 2011, this catch quota will not harm fishers. Further, as most of the harvest is used for farming in Mexico for subsequent export to Japan, this new quota is unlikely to reduce that supply. The new catch quota has significant meaning, according to the OPRT.
First, it has brought about the establishment of the conservation management systems for all waters covering Pacific bluefin tuna from the east to the west in the North Pacific.
In 2009, the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) adopted measures to ensure that fishing of bluefin tuna in the western Pacific would not be increased from the 2002-4 level based on advice from International Scientific Committee. It also adopted measures to reduce the catch of juveniles from the 2002-4 level and expressed the need to promote cooperation with the IATTC over the resource management of the species.
The OPRT was hopeful the catch quota that has been set "stimulates the cooperation with WCPFC and establishes sufficient conservation measures for Pacific bluefin tuna.
IATTC was unable to settle the management measures of bigeye and yellowfin tunas a few years ago, but this time, the quota setting for bluefin tuna might show the group’s improved ability to manage marine resources, because the catch quota has been set before resource levels fall to the endangered level, OPRT said.
The worry remains, however, that WCPFC may not manage the resource properly. This is because the revision of conservation management measures for bigeye and yellowfin tunas was shelved at the last annual meeting, and the WCPFC failed to restrain the increasing number of larger scale purse-seiners, OPRT noted. This issue may be settled at the WCPFC annual meeting in December.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On the afternoon of March 19, Vice Chairman of the Ca Mau Provincial People’s Committee, Le Van Su, chaired a meeting to address bottlenecks and propose solutions to expand the super-intensive whiteleg shrimp farming model using low water exchange and high biosecurity standards (RAS-IMTA).
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On March 10, 2026, the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee issued Decision No. 1377/QD-UBND approving the Aquatic Animal Disease Prevention and Control Plan for the 2026–2030 period. The decision takes effect from the date of signing and replaces previous plans for the 2021–2030 period that had been issued prior to the administrative merger in Ba Ria – Vung Tau, Binh Duong, and Ho Chi Minh City.
(vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Chile imported more than USD 156 million worth of tuna, up 8.1% compared to the previous year and the highest level in the past five years. As the supply structure in this market is rapidly shifting, Vietnamese tuna is facing both opportunities to expand market share and increasing competitive pressure from Thailand, Colombia, and China.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vinh Long Province is stepping up efforts to develop brackish water shrimp farming in a sustainable direction, identifying it as a key sector in its agricultural structure. In 2026, the province aims to reach around 71,300 hectares of shrimp farming, with an output of over 314,000 tons.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Ha Tinh Province is strengthening control over shrimp seed quality to minimize risks for the 2026 spring–summer farming season.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In February 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius exports reached USD 119 million, down slightly 5% year-on-year. However, thanks to strong performance in January, cumulative exports in the first two months of the year still reached USD 331 million, up 28% compared to the same period in 2025. Export activity slowed somewhat in February due to seasonal factors, particularly the Lunar New Year holiday, which disrupted production and shipments at many seafood processing enterprises.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Da Nang is accelerating the development of high-tech shrimp farming toward intensive production, disease control, and improved efficiency. Many shrimp farms have invested in automated environmental monitoring systems, continuously tracking indicators such as pH, dissolved oxygen, temperature, and salinity, enabling farmers to promptly adjust pond conditions and reduce disease risks.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The year 2025 is considered a turning point for Vietnam’s shrimp seed industry as the sector faces the need for strong transformation in technology, production management, and gradual self-sufficiency in broodstock supply. These factors are seen as key to improving seed quality and strengthening the competitiveness of the shrimp industry amid increasingly demanding market requirements.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In February 2026, Vietnam’s shrimp exports reached nearly USD 310 million, up 17% year-on-year. Cumulatively for the first two months of the year, shrimp export value totaled USD 690 million, an increase of 20% compared with the same period last year. Compared with the 22% growth recorded in January, the pace of increase in February slowed somewhat, reflecting seasonal factors as the Lunar New Year holiday partially disrupted processing and shipment activities. Nevertheless, the nearly 20% growth in the first two months indicates that shrimp orders from Vietnam are maintaining a more positive trend than in the same period last year.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to the latest statistics for January 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius export value to major market blocs recorded encouraging growth compared with the same period last year, indicating that consumption demand is gradually recovering.
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