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) The year 2025 marked a pivotal milestone for Vietnam’s seafood industry in its restructuring process toward sustainability, transparency, and higher value creation, amid continued uncertainties in the global economic and trade environment. Prolonged inflation in major economies, the rising trend of trade protectionism, and increasingly stringent requirements related to environmental standards, traceability, and social responsibility have posed significant challenges to seafood production and exports. Nevertheless, overcoming these pressures, Vietnam’s seafood sector has gradually demonstrated its adaptability, maintained growth momentum, and laid an important foundation for the next stage of development.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Amid the increasingly evident impacts of drought and saltwater intrusion, the shrimp-rice production model in Ca Mau province continues to prove itself as a viable direction, contributing to higher farmer incomes, improved soil conditions and the promotion of ecological and sustainable agricultural development.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The management of fishing vessels, monitoring of fishing activities, and handling of violations in the fisheries sector in Lam Dong province have continued to be implemented in a synchronized and stringent manner, contributing to raising awareness of legal compliance among fishermen and aiming to end illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Can Tho’s fishery industry sustained steady growth in 2025 with total aquatic and marine output reaching nearly 783,000 tons, fulfilling 100% of the annual target. Aquaculture, capture fisheries and fishing fleet management were further strengthened, aiming for sustainable development in the coming years.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Vietnam’s pangasius export turnover reached nearly USD 2.2 billion, up 8% year-on-year. This result indicates that pangasius exports maintained their growth momentum despite significant volatility in the global market environment. In December 2025, pangasius export value reached USD 200 million, up 10% compared to December 2024. This solid performance in the final month of the year reflects increased import demand for consumption and inventory replenishment in key markets.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Spain experienced significant fluctuations. According to Vietnam Customs, during the first 11 months of 2025, export turnover for the first 11 months of the year edged up by 0.3% year-on-year, reaching nearly $15 million.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son has signed Decision No. 16/QD-TTg, dated January 5, 2026, approving the implementation plan for the Vietnam-Israel Free Trade Agreement (VIFTA). Under the plan, in the coming period, ministries, ministerial-level agencies, government-affiliated entities and People’s Committees of provinces and centrally-run cities must institutionalize and execute tasks focused on the dissemination of information regarding VIFTA and the Israeli market; legislative and institutional development, as well as enhancing competitiveness and human resource growth...
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Beyond achieving double-digit growth, Vietnam’s fish cake and surimi exports are showing a notable year-end "inflection point": the EU his accelerating with nearly twofold growth, China & Hong Kong are rising sharply, while the largest market, South Korea, signaled a slowdown in November. According to Vietnam Customs data, export turnover of fish cake and surimi reached $327 million in the first 11 months of 2025, up 22% year-on-year; November 2025 alone accounted for $35 million, marking a 5% increase. This serves as a critical foundation for exporters to reassess market structures and competitive intensity while finalizing order strategies for 2026.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Ca Mau, widely regarded as the nation’s “shrimp capital”, continued its strong performance in 2025 as shrimp output reached nearly 600,000 tons, maintaining its position as Vietnam’s leading shrimp-producing locality.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On December 29, 2025, at the 2025 Pangasius Industry Review Conference held in Can Tho City, the Vietnam Pangasius Association announced that fingerling prices have surged to record levels due to acute supply shortages.
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