"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 Quang Tri Department of Agriculture and Environment has instructed localities to base their stocking schedules on actual conditions in each farming area, while developing plans, allocating resources, and implementing synchronized measures for disease prevention and disaster risk management in aquaculture production.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first two months of 2026, Vietnam’s exports of fish cakes and surimi exceeded USD 45 million, up 7% compared to the same period in 2025, indicating a positive outlook for this product segment amid recovering demand in many markets.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) During the week from April 4th to 10th, 2026, Quang Ngai province intensified its monitoring and law enforcement activities with the determination to eliminate illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing practices.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Thanh Hoa’s shrimp sector is undergoing a strong transformation by accelerating the adoption of high technology, helping to improve productivity, increase profits, and meet market demands. The province currently has about 4,100 hectares of shrimp farming, with output continuing to rise despite stable farming area, mainly due to the shift from traditional methods to intensive and super-intensive farming.
(vasep.com.vn) Amid ongoing volatility in global seafood trade, Vietnam’s crab exports have made a fairly positive start to 2026. According to Vietnam Customs statistics, export turnover in the first two months of 2026 reached nearly USD 55 million, up 24% compared to the same period in 2025 and more than 2.2 times higher than in the same period of 2024. This indicates that crab exports are entering 2026 with stronger growth momentum, particularly in Asian markets.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Da Nang City has fully implemented all recommendations from the European Commission (EC) regarding the fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, creating an important foundation for the removal of the “yellow card” in the near future.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In Hoa Vang district (Da Nang City), red tilapia farming is demonstrating clear economic efficiency, becoming a promising livelihood that helps many households increase their income. A notable example is the model of Mr. Huynh Ngoc Nam, who operates two red tilapia ponds covering more than 4 hectares, generating stable annual income.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In Gia Vien district, tilapia farming—particularly the “duong nghiep” strain—is expanding rapidly and gradually becoming an efficient production model for local farmers. Hatcheries in the area are supplying high-quality, uniform, and disease-free fingerlings, meeting the growing demand for commercial farming.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On the afternoon of March 19, Vice Chairman of the Ca Mau Provincial People’s Committee, Le Van Su, chaired a meeting to address bottlenecks and propose solutions to expand the super-intensive whiteleg shrimp farming model using low water exchange and high biosecurity standards (RAS-IMTA).
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On March 10, 2026, the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee issued Decision No. 1377/QD-UBND approving the Aquatic Animal Disease Prevention and Control Plan for the 2026–2030 period. The decision takes effect from the date of signing and replaces previous plans for the 2021–2030 period that had been issued prior to the administrative merger in Ba Ria – Vung Tau, Binh Duong, and Ho Chi Minh City.
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