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) Currently, Da Nang City has no fishing vessels detained, sanctioned by foreign authorities, or criminally prosecuted for IUU fishing violations. Patrols, monitoring of marine fishing activities, and handling of violations have been prioritized by competent forces, significantly reducing nearshore fishing infringements.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to statistics from Vietnam Customs, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Israel in the first nine months of 2025 reached just over USD 27 million, down as much as 49% compared to the same period in 2024. This is a steep and prolonged decline for many consecutive months, reflecting changes in import demand as well as shifts in the supply structure of this market.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The first 700 tons of Vietnamese tilapia ordered and imported by JBS Group will initially be distributed through supermarket chains, the Horeca network and JBS’s product showrooms in Brazil.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In October 2025, Vietnam’s pangasius exports hit $217 million, representing an 8% increase compared to the same month in 2024. For the first 10 months of the year, total export value has surpassed $1.8 billion, up 9% year-on-year. This growth demonstrates clear positive momentum for the pangasius industry, despite continued declines in certain markets.
In recent days, the Central provinces of Vietnam have been suffering from historic flooding, with prolonged heavy rains, landslides, flash floods, and deep inundation causing extremely serious impacts on tens of thousands of households, as well as many VASEP member exporters located in the region. With the spirit of mutual support and solidarity, and in order to promptly assist residents and member exporters in the affected areas to stabilize their lives and restore production activities, VASEP calls on all seafood exporters, organizations, and individuals to extend supports to the people and member exporters in the flood-hit areas. We urge timely and practical material and spiritual contributions to help member exporters and local communities in the severely affected provinces overcome this difficult period.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the final days of October 2025, Vietnam’s domestic raw shrimp market remained generally stable, though slight adjustments were recorded in several sizes across key farming regions.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s shrimp exports reached USD 498 million in October 2025, up 26% from the same period last year. This is one of the highest monthly revenues since the beginning of the year, reflecting solid demand in major markets and faster shipment schedules by exporters. From January to October, shrimp export value reached USD 3.9 billion, up 22% compared to the same period in 2024.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On October 31, 2025, the US Court of International Trade (CIT) officially issued an order to suspend the case filed by the National Fisheries Institute (NFI), the National Restaurant Association (NRA), and several US seafood companies against the US Government concerning the implementation of the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA).
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) An Giang’s fisheries sector has maintained stable growth momentum during the first nine months of 2025, making an important contribution to the province’s socio-economic development. Despite facing numerous challenges, the province is implementing various measures to enhance production efficiency, expand markets, and promote sustainable fisheries development toward deeper integration into the global economy.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s pangasius export value in September 2025 reached USD 181 million, up 5% compared to the same period in 2024. The overall trend for the pangasius industry remains positive, with total exports in the first nine months of 2025 reaching nearly USD 1.6 billion, an increase of 9% year-on-year.
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
Đơn vị vận hành trang tin điện tử: Trung tâm VASEP.PRO
Trưởng Ban Biên tập: Bà Phùng Thị Kim Thu
Giấy phép hoạt động Trang thông tin điện tử tổng hợp số 138/GP-TTĐT, ngày 01/10/2013 của Bộ Thông tin và Truyền thông
Tel: (+84 24) 3.7715055 – (ext.203); email: kimthu@vasep.com.vn
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Tel: (+84 24) 3.7715055 - Fax: (+84 24) 37715084 - Email: vasephn@vasep.com.vn