The Eurothon committee, led by president Juan Vieites who is also the secretary general of Spain's National Association of Manufacturers of Canned Seafood (ANFACO-CECOPESCA), held their 35th General Assembly meeting. The group strives to protect stakeholders in Europe's tuna industry as well as in African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP) and Generalized System of Preferences Plus (GSP+) countries.
At the meeting, Eurothon discussed key issues that it hopes the European Commission (EC) will consider when implementing new policies for 2012.
One concern is the ongoing negotiations for a comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between the European Union (EU) and the Pacific-ACP states (PACPs). In 2008, Papua New Guinea (PNG) requested to “global source” its processed fish products - an exemption from the standard Rules of Origin (RoO) that allows the country to source raw material from any vessel regardless of flag or where it was caught, as long as the final product is manufactured by a PACP-based processing facility. Eurothon is concerned this privilege would set a precedent for other trade agreements and says the EC-funded report on global sourcing needs to be further analyzed.
The group also addressed its position on various trade negotiations, including the upcoming talks with Vietnam. The country, it says, poses a “significant risk” due to its close proximity to Thailand and the availability of “cheap” labor.
Another issue that warrants attention is Ecuador's proposal to renew the duty-free access for its exported items to Europe. The GSP+ trade agreement, set to expire at the end of 2013, could motivate the Philippines to also seek a similar tariff break, which would be “extremely alarming,” according to Eurothon. Eurothon is also keeping a close eye on China's participation in world fisheries. It aims to provide insight to the European Parliament, highlighting the “danger” of Chinese investments in PNG and observing the increased activity of the Chinese tuna fleet in the Western Pacific and Indian Oceans.
The group also opposes the proposed new requirements for product labeling. Revisions to the EU's Common Fisheries Policy, the framework which manages the fisheries in Europe, will be discussed in the European Parliament this year, and one of the recommendations is to establish standardized eco-labeling for fishery products.
Eurothon hopes today's meeting will “lay the groundwork to ensure the viability and competitiveness of the EU tuna industry.”
(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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