The inspection focused on three main areas: the quality of VMS equipment and connectivity; the operation of digital platforms and fisheries databases; and the interoperability and data-sharing capacity among existing systems. These are considered “bottlenecks” directly affecting vessel monitoring and the prevention of illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
According to Mr. Nguyen Phong Nha, Deputy Director of the Authority of Telecommunications and head of the delegation, implementation in Ho Chi Minh City shows that many fishing vessel management software systems are operating separately and lack synchronization. Data among systems are not fully aligned, creating difficulties for authorities in tracking vessel movements, controlling fishing activities, and handling violations.
The inspection also recorded cases of prolonged VMS signal loss on some vessels. Installing two to three monitoring devices on the same vessel has caused overlapping management and made it difficult to determine accurate data. In addition, many docked vessels are still required to maintain VMS signals, leading to power consumption and reduced battery life. Data transmission from service providers to the central management system remains slow and unstable, undermining real-time monitoring efficiency.
Beyond hardware infrastructure, IT applications in fisheries management have also revealed limitations. Port management software and electronic fishing logbooks have been deployed but are not yet interconnected. Multiple systems operate in parallel, with fragmented and non-integrated data. The transition from paper logbooks to electronic logs has caused confusion for some fishermen, particularly in offshore areas with weak signals where data transmission is challenging. Notably, the current port management software only updates sanction results and does not yet meet data-sharing requirements for modern management tools such as electronic fines, reducing deterrence effectiveness and transparency in law enforcement.
Based on these findings, the Ho Chi Minh City Sub-Department of Fisheries and Fisheries Surveillance proposed that the delegation consider adjusting certain regulations to better reflect actual offshore fishing conditions, such as reducing the frequency of voyage reporting and allowing flexible handling of signal loss caused by objective factors. The agency also proposed adding procedures for using data from technical devices as evidence, strengthening data application, and encouraging the installation of backup satellite communication devices to ensure uninterrupted information flow.
A representative of the delegation stated that the inspection aimed to identify practical difficulties and promptly address technical bottlenecks, while urging enterprises to enhance systems and improve connectivity quality. On that basis, the delegation will compile recommendations and advise the Government and relevant ministries on improving mechanisms and policies to enhance fisheries management through digital technology.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Every day, the seafood processing industry in Ca Mau generates large quantities of shrimp heads and shells during processing operations. In the past, these by-products were largely treated as waste, increasing production costs and posing potential environmental risks. However, thanks to advanced processing technologies, materials once considered waste are now being transformed into high-value products, creating a circular economy model within the seafood industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam Clean Seafood Corporation has invested in a 280-hectare super-intensive shrimp farming zone in Tran De Commune, Can Tho City, generating export value of approximately VND 3 billion per hectare per year—around 50 times higher than traditional agricultural production.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s seafood exports reached USD 1.02 billion in May 2026, up 0.6% year-on-year. Cumulative exports in the first five months of 2026 totaled USD 4.67 billion, an increase of 11% compared to the same period in 2025.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In a rapidly changing global seafood market, timely insights and reliable data are more critical than ever. The Report on Vietnam Seafood Exports in Q1/2026 provides a comprehensive overview of the latest developments in Vietnam’s seafood production, trade performance, and export trends, helping businesses navigate uncertainty and identify new growth opportunities.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) While many major markets continue to experience slow growth, Russia has emerged as a brighter destination for Vietnamese tuna exports in early 2026. Export turnover to this market increased by nearly 55% in the first four months of the year, indicating a clear improvement in demand. Nevertheless, Russia remains a market that should be viewed with both optimism and caution.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s pangasius exports have shown encouraging signs of recovery in 2026. In the first four months of the year, total export turnover reached USD 720 million, up 17% compared to the same period last year. This result reflects improving demand across many markets, as well as the efforts of Vietnamese pangasius enterprises to maintain production, secure orders, and adapt to changing market conditions.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first four months of 2026, Vietnam’s tilapia exports reached USD 49 million, up 151% compared to the same period in 2025. This impressive growth reflects positive momentum in the tilapia sector, with Brazil emerging as a key driver of growth, while frozen tilapia fillets continued to be the industry's leading export product.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tuna exports to the UK have shown positive signs in the first months of 2026. While the UK’s overall tuna imports from the world declined, imports from Vietnam increased strongly, indicating that there is still room for Vietnam to expand its market share. However, behind this growth, competitive pressure remains intense, especially as the UK continues to be a major market for established suppliers such as Ecuador, Mauritius, and Ghana.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Biofloc technology is being piloted in several rice–shrimp farming models in Ca Mau Province, showing initial positive results in controlling pond environments, improving shrimp seed quality, and supporting sustainable aquaculture development.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first four months of 2026, Mexico, Brazil, and Colombia together contributed USD 108 million to Vietnam’s pangasius exports, accounting for around 15% of the industry’s total export turnover. Amid tightening global whitefish supply and slowing demand in several traditional markets, Latin America is increasingly becoming an important expansion destination for the sector.
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