"We need to boost the sector so as to be able to create new jobs and, at the same time, to have a good production for our children," Damanaki said in a press conference offered at the end of the international conference "European Aquaculture: A Growth Path" held in A Coruña, Galicia.
Aquaculture bills more than EUR 100 billion annually, and the Regional Office of the United Nations Organization for Food and Agriculture (FAO) predicts that in the coming years the demand for fish will increase by 65 per cent.
But in this context, European aquaculture production is still incipient and barely reaches 1.2 million tonnes, reportes EFE agency.
According to Damanaki, the EU's objective is to harness the potential of the sector to ensure food supplies and create new jobs.
Therefore, the negotiation of the multi-annual financial framework will improve funding for fish farming.
"The idea that three kilos of wild fish are needed to produce one of aquaculture is false -stressed the European Commissioner. Years ago the quality of European aquaculture products were also distrusted and now it is doubtless that they are the best."
Besides, referring to the alleged negative effects of aquaculture, she said that it is necessary "to try to change that bad image and to show that it does not suit reality," La Opinión reported.
"We have the technology, the best aquaculture in the world with sustainable products, but we have stalled. We must find solutions," she said.
To the Commissioner of Fisheries, some national and local administrations are to blame for the aquaculture stagnation status.
"Sometimes, licensing – to set up new facilities -- is not welcomed in certain regions, so it is not easy for the authorities to grant new permits. Therefore, sometimes governments themselves use the complicated bureaucracy and the legal uncertainty as an excuse," she pointed out.
With regard to the control of aquaculture imports, she said the EU commits to increasing the inspections and to requiring the fish from third countries meets the same health-hygiene and quality requirements as that produced locally.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first six months of 2026, Ha Tinh province continued to implement comprehensive solutions to combat IUU fishing; strictly manage the fishing fleet, control fishing vessels entering and leaving ports, operate vessel tracking devices, trace the origin of seafood, and severely punish violations.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam's tilapia exports reached USD 7 million in June 2026, down 32% compared with the same month in 2025. Nevertheless, thanks to strong growth in the first five months of the year, cumulative tilapia exports in the first half of 2026 totaled USD 69 million, up 67% year on year.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Sa Giang Import-Export Joint Stock Company, a member of the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), has been honored with the "Famous Brand - Competitive Vietnamese Brand 2026" certification at an award ceremony organized by the Vietnam Intellectual Property Association (VIPA).
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) China imported nearly $1.4 billion worth of Vietnamese seafood in the first half of the year, a 40% increase compared to the same period last year, surpassing the US to become the largest export market for the industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) As part of Vietfish 2026, the International Seafood Hosted Buyer Program has been designed as a dedicated B2B matchmaking initiative for selected international buyers. The program provides opportunities to meet directly with Vietnamese seafood companies, gain market insights, and experience Vietnam's seafood supply chain firsthand.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) A Story from Cà Mau’s Coast It’s 5 AM in Cà Mau. Minh, a third-generation fisherman, is ready to set sail. But unlike his father and grandfather, his boat no longer runs on an old diesel engine that burns fuel and clouds the sky with smoke. Instead, it’s powered by a hybrid engine that saves 40% fuel—funded by an ESG program from a major seafood exporter.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam's pangasius industry is shifting its focus from increasing production volume to enhancing value-added products in order to meet the increasingly stringent requirements of export markets. In An Giang Province—the country's leading hub for pangasius farming and processing—businesses and farmers are prioritizing product quality, traceability, food safety, and sustainable development rather than expanding output.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Following strong growth in 2025, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Sweden continued to edge higher during the first five months of 2026. However, the picture is far from straightforward. Orders have fluctuated significantly from month to month, indicating that this market remains cautious, with purchasing decisions closely tied to actual demand and the import cycles of Nordic distributors rather than to a steady upward trend.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) China’s shrimp imports in the first five months of 2026 continued to surpass the same period in 2025, indicating that demand in the world’s largest seafood-consuming market remains strong. However, behind the growth figures lies an increasingly competitive landscape: Ecuador dominates the competitively priced whiteleg shrimp segment, India remains the second-largest supplier, while Vietnam stands out in the lobster segment but still needs to strengthen its advantages through quality, traceability, and reliable supply.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Lobster exports to China continued to surge in the first half of this year, putting the lobster industry on the verge of reaching an export value exceeding $1 billion.
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