"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) 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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