The seven member delegation led by Gabriel Mato (EPP, ES), which also included MEPs Ricardo Serrao Santos (S&D, PT), Antonio Marinho e Pinto (ALDE, PT), Ulrike Rodust (S&D, DE), Jens Gieseke (EPP, DE), Veronica Lope Fontagné (EPP, ES) and Sylvie Goddyn (EFDD, FR), held a number of high-level meetings with the Vietnamese Prime Minister, Government Ministers, the Vice President of the National Assembly, parliamentarians and relevant Vietnamese authorities, who spared no effort in welcoming the EP delegation and present the newly adopted legislation and enforcement measures. MEPs also met other stakeholders, such as the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP). Other companies and fishermen associations provided the Members with first-hand information on the challenges and constraints of the Vietnamese fisheries and aquaculture sector.
The delegation expressed its appreciation for the open and frank exchanges with their counterparts and the constructive cooperation. A number of significant improvements of the Vietnamese fisheries legislation could undoubtedly boost Vietnam's ability to tackle and deter IUU fishing activities in its waters. The EP Members also witnessed new monitoring, inspection and control infrastructures and facilities such as the Fisheries Monitoring Centre in Hanoi and the Ports in Quy Nhon and Haiphong that, together with the new infrastructure in place, can positively impact Vietnam's ability to comply with its international obligations in the fight against IUU fishing. Members also welcomed the White Book on Combating IUU Fishing in Vietnam adopted by VASEP membership.
The Members referred to the challenges faced by Vietnam regarding the overcapacity and overexploitation of resources that are stimulated by increasing supply needs of the fast-developing processing sector. This, together with the weak control policy, have displaced the fishing effort beyond the Vietnamese waters, where Vietnamese authorities do not have the legal means and the resources to control fishing activities. Also regarding monitoring, control and surveillance, as well as the management of the fleet, it is still extremely weak and fragmented, and traceability of fisheries products is not influencing the efficacy of the catch certification scheme for exports to the EU.
The Members recognised Vietnam’s political efforts in the commitment to tackle IUU fisheries and underlined that Vietnam should devote enough human and financial resources for this purpose. In this context, the delegation underlined the importance of the EU-Vietnam FTA that clearly provides for cooperation between both sides in the fight against IUU fishing under its Trade Sustainable Development Chapter.
"For Vietnam and the EU it is paramount to continue with this open and constructive dialogue in order to successfully address the global challenges posed by illegal fishing. The new fisheries legal framework and implementing regulations currently being developed is a first step in the right direction and we strongly encourage Vietnam to continue along this path”, Members pointed out.
(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.
VASEP - HIỆP HỘI CHẾ BIẾN VÀ XUẤT KHẨU THỦY SẢN VIỆT NAM
Chịu trách nhiệm: Ông Nguyễn Hoài Nam - Phó Tổng thư ký Hiệp hội
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Trưởng Ban Biên tập: Bà Phùng Thị Kim Thu
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