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) Japan continues to be one of Vietnam’s most important and stable shrimp markets. In recent years, shrimp exports to this market have fluctuated in line with Japan’s broader economic and consumption cycles, yet Japan remains a major, high-value destination with stringent standards.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Spain increased by 13% compared to 2024. This growth trend has continued into the first two months of 2026. According to Vietnam Customs statistics, export turnover to this market reached nearly USD 3 million in January–February 2026, up 101% year-on-year and significantly higher than the same period in 2024. This development indicates that Spain is once again becoming a notable destination for Vietnamese tuna amid strong demand for tuna raw materials and products in Europe.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The 2026 brackish water shrimp farming season in the Mekong Delta has started earlier than usual, mainly driven by positive market signals, as shrimp prices in 2025 remained high and supply was limited. Many enterprises and farms in Cần Thơ, Cà Mau, and Vĩnh Long have proactively stocked early to seize opportunities. By early 2026, stocking areas in many localities had reached a high proportion of planned targets, with intensive and high-tech farming models expanding rapidly.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports to the United States recorded remarkable growth in 2025, opening up major opportunities while also presenting considerable challenges. The U.S. remains the largest importer of Vietnamese tilapia fillets, with export turnover reaching USD 40 million—an increase of up to 499% compared to 2024. This impressive growth reflects strong demand in the U.S. market, as supply from competing countries such as China has been constrained by tariffs and rising production costs.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Pangasius remains a strategic export commodity in Vietnam’s seafood sector. Entering 2026, the industry faces a strong need to transition from volume-based growth to a value-driven development model, with a focus on quality, food safety, and sustainability.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Following damage caused by Storm No. 13 in late 2025, brackish water shrimp farming in Gia Lai is being rapidly restored. In key farming areas such as Tuy Phước and Tuy Phước Đông, farmers are focusing on rehabilitating ponds, repairing infrastructure, and treating the environment in preparation for the 2026 crop.
(seafood.vasep.com) Facing the decline in fishery resources, Vietnam is accelerating livelihood transitions for fishermen to reduce fishing pressure and move toward sustainable development. Marine fish stocks have dropped significantly from 4.82 million tons in 2000–2005 to 3.95 million tons in 2016–2020.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s shrimp industry is entering a period of strong transformation with the emergence of various high-tech farming models, helping improve productivity and competitiveness. Over the past 5–10 years, farming practices have shifted from traditional methods to intensive and super-intensive systems, featuring lined ponds, environmental sensors, automated feeding, and data management.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) With a focus on sustainable development, high-tech application, and climate change adaptation, An Giang Province aims to maintain its brackish water shrimp production in 2026 at a level equivalent to the previous year. Specifically, output is projected to reach over 155,510 tons, serving both domestic consumption and export processing, thereby sustaining the fisheries sector’s key role in the local economic structure.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the Mekong Delta, key pangasius farming provinces such as An Giang, Dong Thap, and Can Tho are accelerating the transition toward a circular economy model, contributing to higher product value and reduced environmental impact. Instead of focusing solely on farming and processing, the pangasius value chain is increasingly utilizing by-products and waste streams to generate added value.
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