Released on World Oceans Day, the report, "Safeguard or Squander? Deciding the future of India's Fisheries," states that 90 per cent of India's fish stocks are at or above maximum sustainable levels of exploitation – an idea that contradicts the official statement that there is still scope for fish landings to increase.
"We have reached a tipping point in Indian fisheries and the decision we make now about how to manage and conserve them will define this sector for the coming generations,” said Shri Basudev Acharya, Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Agriculture.
Marine fisheries contribute close to 2 per cent of the national GDP. India's fish exports were worth over USD 2.8 billion in 2010-11, and 45 per cent of this export value comes from marine capture fisheries; the government wants to raise this to 6 billion by 2015.
T Peter, secretary from National Fishworkers' Forum, believes there is a need for a comprehensive policy that would move towards a sustainable approach to fishing and which involves fishers in decision-making.
"Over the last two decades, the economic and social consequences of the ongoing fisheries decline have been devastating to fishing communities, particularly those practicing medium to small scale non-mechanised and artisanal fisheries. Previously self-sufficient traditional fishing communities are witnessing the destruction of their natural resource base, resulting in poverty and migration to other occupations and other regions," he said.
Areeba Hamid, Greenpeace campaigner, noted that current levels of mechanised fishing are ecologically unsustainable and are not enough to provide work for the millions whose livelihoods depend on non-mechanised fisheries.
The report also examines the ecological damage to marine biodiversity caused by overfishing as well as by the capacity, intensity and technology used.
Over-capacity leading to over-fishing, an over-reliance on destructive fishing methods such as bottom trawling and ongoing government subsidies for mechanized fisheries instead of more sustainable, employment-generating non-mechanised sector are the main problems, Greenpeace contends.
“This situation has been worsened by rampant pollution, destruction of breeding grounds such as mangroves and estuarine areas, hot water discharge from thermal power plants, industrial effluents, sewage from major urban centres and coastal over development,” the report adds.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) After a fairly strong upward trend in 2025, Vietnam’s clam exports entered 2026 with a mixed picture: strong growth at the beginning of the year, followed by a slowdown from March onward. According to Vietnam Customs data, Vietnam’s clam export turnover in the first four months of 2026 reached more than USD 38 million, up 2% compared to the same period in 2025.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s pangasius industry is facing new opportunities to expand its development space as many localities and businesses begin promoting marine farming models aimed at diversifying farming areas and adapting to climate change. However, for pangasius to truly “go offshore” and develop into a large-scale industry segment, significant challenges related to technology, broodstock, and markets still need to be addressed.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports in April 2026 reached USD 11 million, up 92% compared to the same period in 2025. This strong growth indicates that Vietnamese tilapia products are continuing to penetrate and expand rapidly in international markets. Cumulative export turnover in the first four months of 2026 reached USD 49 million, up 151% year-on-year.
(seafood.vasep.com) At VietShrimp Asia 2026, disease management trends in shrimp farming are shifting strongly from treatment-based approaches toward proactive prevention through environmental and pond ecosystem control.
(vasep.com.vn) After a period of strong growth, with export turnover reaching USD 38 million in Q1/2026 — up 174% year-on-year — the sector’s rapid expansion clearly reflects growing market opportunities.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first quarter of 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius exports to the ASEAN bloc reached USD 44 million, up 7% compared to the same period in 2025. After falling to the lowest level of the quarter at USD 9 million in February — reflecting the seasonal slowdown in orders after the festive period — exports recovered strongly to USD 18 million in March, the highest monthly value of the quarter. This development shows that import demand for pangasius in ASEAN remains relatively stable despite short-term fluctuations.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On May 11, 2026, the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced a positive comparability finding for Vietnam’s swimming crab fisheries, along with those of Indonesia and Sri Lanka, under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). With this decision, seafood and seafood products harvested from Vietnam’s swimming crab fisheries will continue to be eligible for import into the US market.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) After a slowdown in 2025, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Germany showed more positive signs in the first quarter of 2026. However, the recovery remains uncertain as consumer demand in Germany is still cautious, while market competition is increasingly driven by pricing and supply stability.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) After a sharp decline in 2025, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Israel are showing positive signs of recovery in the early months of 2026. According to Vietnam Customs data, export turnover to this market grew steadily month by month in Q1/2026, reaching nearly USD 10 million, up 33% compared to the same period in 2025. However, compared to Q1/2024, this level remains significantly lower, indicating that the recovery is still in its early stage following last year’s strong adjustment.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Entering 2026, the U.S. whitefish market has shown complex developments as global cod supply continues to tighten, while the U.S. trade environment becomes less stable. In this context, the U.S. market has had to become more flexible in sourcing alternative whitefish. However, relying heavily on Alaska pollock is not a long-term solution, as it is a strictly managed fishery with quotas and sustainability regulations, limiting any rapid increase in output to offset cod shortages.
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