(seafood.com) As the world's largest
In an own-initiative report drafted by Isabella Lavin (Greens-EFA, Sweden) and adopted on 11 October, the committee calls on the EU to promote international actions - such as inspections at sea and the closing of markets to products from illegal fishing - with a view to maintaining fish stocks at a sustainable level, to negotiate international legal instruments and to defend the principle of penalties for negligent states. The report, adopted unanimously, will be put to the vote in plenary at the 14-17 November session in
Illegal fishing accounts for around 15% of global catches--between 11 and 26 million tonnes per year--making sustainable management of marine resources impossible. Apart from the threat to the viability of fish stocks and food security, which affects both consumers and fishing communities, illegal fishing constitutes a source of unfair competition for the operators who play by the rules, explains the report. MEPs thus note that "the EU has to do more to promote effective cooperation to combat illegal fisheries".
Technological tools exist to control and prevent illegal fishing but it is the political commitment that is lacking, state MEPs, who urge the European Commission and member states to place this issue on the international agenda, in the WTO for example. They call for sanctions to be imposed on states that do not respect their international obligations, for example by failing to ensure that vessels that fly their flag comply with rules. MEPs also state that aid under the EU's generalized system of preferences should only be allocated if the candidate country respects FAO and UN rules designed to combat IUU fishing, and that the Commission and member states should increase financial and technical aid for surveillance programmes in the waters of developing countries.
Since two thirds of oceans and seas are beyond national jurisdictions, new international measures are needed, states the report, which suggests: compulsory registration of fishing vessels of more than ten GT (gross registered tonne), a global catch certification programme, information exchange on vessel activity at international level, supervision of imports and an agreement on shutting markets to illegally caught products. To be effective, such measures must be backed by the leading fishery products markets: MEPs urge the EU to consult large marketing states, such as the
MEPs also call for the EU to establish a register of authorised fishing vessels and to draw up a black list of vessels involved in illegal fishing. They also recommend the reinforcement of inspections at sea, the development of catch documentation schemes, a ban on transhipment, the mandatory use of satellite-based vessel monitoring systems and reinforcement of regional fisheries management organisations, with a view to covering all open seas fisheries.
(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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