After listening to the information shared by the EU ambassador on EU’s recommendations on IUU fishing, Deputy Minister - Mr. Vu Van Tam had a report on Vietnam's efforts in implementing 5 groups of issues that EU recommended.
At the meeting, the Minister – Mr. Nguyen Xuan Cuong affirmed that Vietnam is making efforts to approach the recommendations on IUU for the progress of the world fisheries, including Vietnam fisheries.
In terms of legal institutions, the Minister affirmed that EU’s recommendations are very useful to include in the revised Fisheries Law. Accordingly, there are 6 contents that must be resolutely included in the revised Fisheries Law, including:
1. Assess fish stocks by implementing survey every 5 years in combination to the appropriate fishing plan as recommended by the EU.
2. Establish Fisheries Surveillance Force in the Central and 28 provinces and cities to control fisheries activities on sea (control of vessels arriving or going offshore).
3. Continue to affirm the marine protected areas and aquatic conservation areas, united with the National Assembly members so that MARD can control to protect marine resources.
4. Apply the highest penalty related to IUU fishing activities in the Fisheries Law. The details will depend on the decree after the Law is approved.
5. The Law stipulates that vessel licensing must be based on investigated stocks, to allow vessels to be licensed in each province to control the number of vessels.
6. Introduce a new institution: establish a Fund for Fisheries Resources Protection at the central and provincial levels so that the Fund will be contributed every year to recovering biodiversity as well as marine resources.
In order to express the determination of MARD in line with the EU recommendations on IUU, towards sustainable fisheries, the Minister decided to focus immediately on 8 tasks:
1. Review the decision to set up the task force 689 to advise the Prime Minister on the mandate of 28 provincial chairmen who must control and not allow fishermen to fish illegally at foreign waters. The Steering Committee will petition the Prime Minister to direct a Deputy Prime Minister to take part in this issue.
2. The project of Sustainable Management of Marine Development will be soon completed so that in September 2017, MARD will submit to the Prime Minister.
3. Review and evaluate 3,000 vessels equipped with information positioning device and after the review, there will be a detailed plan on the solution for the vessels equipped with information positioning device to control vessels and not to let them go outside the controlled area.
4. Focus on the Ocean Fishing Project, as there are still a number of countries that want Vietnam to cooperate with them officially to fish and solve the labor and the jobs; Push the Project in September and submit to the Prime Minister for approval in the early October 2017.
5. Review the fisheries infrastructure to assess and petition to the government for its step by step support.
6. Build up livelihoods for fishermen and reduce the number of fishermen participating in fishing. There is a marine aquaculture planning program to reduce fishing activities. In addition, the MARD is focusing on cultivation and animal husbandry programs to shift a number of fishermen to work on land.
7. Join regional and international organizations in fisheries.
8. Focus more on propaganda and training for fishermen.
At this meeting, the Minister – Mr. Nguyen Xuan Cuong and Ambassador – Mr. Bruno Angelet agreed every six-month to jointly review the efforts and results that Vietnam has made in improving marine fishing activities following EU recommendations. With such efforts and determination, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and seafood enterprises expect Vietnam will avoid getting the yellow card from the EU.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to Vietnam Customs data, tuna exports in the first month of 2026 reached over USD 75 million, up 13% compared to the same period in 2025. Notably, exports increased in most key markets such as Japan, the EU, and Russia, while exports to the United States fell by 6%—a contrasting development amid ongoing adjustments in U.S. import tariff policies and new compliance requirements under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), which took effect at the beginning of the year.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In March 2026, Vietnam’s tilapia exports recorded strong growth, reaching USD 15 million, up 109% compared to the same period in 2025. Cumulatively, in the first three months of 2026, export value reached USD 38 million, an increase of 174% year-on-year. This result highlights the sector’s robust expansion and reflects rapid growth across multiple markets.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In March 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius export value reached USD 182 million, up 1% compared to the same period in 2025. Cumulatively, exports in the first three months of 2026 totaled USD 514 million, an increase of 17% year-on-year, indicating that the growth momentum is being maintained despite signs of slowdown in some markets during March.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) During peak heat periods, farmers raising pangasius, tilapia, and other freshwater fish in Dong Thap are implementing various technical measures to reduce risks and maintain stable production.
(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.
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