(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.
(vasep.com.vn) VASEP has officially announced the program for Vietnam Seafood Summit 2026 (VSS 2026), featuring five in-depth sessions covering industry outlooks, trade barriers, buyer demand, the domestic market, and solutions to improve productivity and reduce costs across the seafood value chain.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s shrimp exports reached US$3.7 billion in the first nine months of 2026, up 11% year on year. Although growth has been supported by China and several markets within the CPTPP, momentum is slowing as exports to the United States and the European Union decline. Tariff pressures, international competition, and raw material challenges are creating significant hurdles for exporters in the final months of the year.
(vasep.com.vn) Markets are changing faster, buyer requirements are becoming more demanding, and trade barriers are growing increasingly complex. In this environment, seafood businesses need more than an understanding of current market conditions. They need a longer-term perspective to answer a critical question: Where will growth opportunities come from in 2027–2029, and what should businesses do now to prepare? This is one of the key reasons why VASEP is organizing Vietnam Seafood Summit 2026.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first eight months of 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius exports to the Middle East reached US$113 million, up 7% year on year from the same period in 2025. Growth has become more pronounced in recent months. In August alone, exports to the region totaled US$20 million, an increase of 24%. This indicates that demand for Vietnamese pangasius in the Middle East is gradually recovering after a slowdown in March, although the pace of recovery varies across markets.
(vasep.com.vn) China’s shrimp imports continued to grow strongly in 2026, while Vietnam’s shrimp exports to the market also recorded notable growth. However, behind these positive figures lie two distinct trends: Chinese consumption is growing more slowly than imports, and lobster accounts for a substantial share of Vietnam’s shrimp exports to China, making its product mix significantly different from those of Ecuador and India. Exporters therefore need to assess each segment carefully to understand the opportunities and risks.
(vasep.com.vn) Changing markets, shifting buyer demand, and increasingly complex trade barriers are raising a key question for Vietnam’s seafood industry: Where will the new growth opportunities lie in 2027–2029?
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) As of the end of August 2026, Vietnam’s tilapia exports to the United States reached $21 million, representing a steep 48% year-over-year decline and accounting for 23% of the country's total tilapia export turnover. Frozen fillets accounted for 78% with the remainder consisting of whole frozen tilapia and frozen cuts.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) After a volatile first half of the year, Vietnam’s pangasius exports to Brazil registered robust growth in July and August 2026. In August alone, export turnover reached $19 million, surging 73% compared to the same period in 2025. Cumulatively for the first eight months, total export value reached $124 million, reflecting an 8% year-over-year increase.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Besides modifying their boats, many fishermen in Dak Lak province are making efforts to venture out to sea to harvest seafood during the rough sea season.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) At the Responsible Seafood Summit and TCRS Shrimp Summit 2026, organized by the GSA (Global Seafood Alliance) in Bangkok, Thailand, the conversation about the future of the shrimp industry began with one of its most important foundations: seedstock quality.
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