But the local fishermen first need to be taught about basic health standards before the measures can be effective, says a tuna industry insider.
Recently at Tuticorin fishing harbor, a major seaport in Southern India, the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA), the Food and Agriculture Organization and INFOFISH co-organized a workshop to teach fishermen the proper slicing technique for sashimi-grade tuna fish, which has significant export market value overseas. The workshop was titled, “Improving post-harvest practices and sustainable market development for long line fisheries for tuna and other pelagic fish species.”
Sashimi is a high-quality, Japanese delicacy that consists of thinly sliced raw meat, usually fish. Traditionally, the fish should be processed – paralyzed and bled – as soon as it is caught and then stored immediately in slurried ice to maximize its quality for raw consumption.
Tuna intended for sashimi exports must therefore be caught using pole-and-line, handline of longlining since India’s artisanal fisheries predominantly use drifting gillnets, which substantially increase the level of dangerous histamines in the fish as they can be dragged in the warm ocean water for hours before they are landed on board. The concentration of histamines in raw tuna directly increases with its rising body temperature, so the material must be stored immediately in ice to avoid this health hazard.
For this reason, MPEDA plans to outfit the fishing harbor with a new flake ice making unit and two storage units to cater to the vessels. The government agency will also be offering a complete subsidy to vessels building an ice crusher facility to store ice in their fish hold areas.
While the freshness of ice can be maintained with these initiatives, there have been past incidents of fishermen dumping the ice at sea to increase the fish holding area as their catches improve.
Western companies say the local fishermen in India have little knowledge of clean, fish-handling practices on board because they are used to selling their catches to the local market, which does not demand quality assurances. The majority lack a sense of responsibility and often, paperwork is not kept up to date.
Before investing in sashimi, the government should first focus on changing the mentality of fishermen and especially hiring experts to supervise their work, says the industry insider. He says the new measures are “useless” until the fishermen care about the food safety and health risks involved, and are motivated by the commercial benefits of delivering a high quality and hygienic product.
MPEDA will also offer 50% subsidies for refrigerated sea water systems, fish finder instruments, global positioning systems and radio signal instruments. All mechanized fishing vessels equipped with chemical septic tank toilets will also be subsidized by 50%.
During the month of July the major Indian Exporter of fresh and frozen tuna Moon Fisheries Pvt Ltd from Cochin was linked in the USA to 425 cases of salmonella poisoning of their raw tuna product, sold as sushi or nakaochi scrape. 55 persons had to be hospitalized.
(seafoo.vasep.com.vn) Ca Mau Province is stepping up efforts to protect aquatic resources and promote transparent and sustainable fisheries, joining the country’s efforts to have the European Commission (EC) remove its “yellow card” warning for illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam has strengthened its position in China’s massive seafood market, becoming the largest lobster supplier while maintaining a dominant share of the country’s imported pangasius.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietfish 2026 was more than just a larger exhibition space. Through B2B meetings, booth discussions, production-chain visits and post-show feedback, businesses and buyers found something more concrete: suitable suppliers, processing capabilities, technology solutions, new markets and a foundation for building long-term trust and partnerships.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports to the United States declined significantly in the first seven months of 2026. Cumulative export value reached US$18 million, down 42% from the same period in 2025. In July alone, exports amounted to just US$2 million, plunging 70%, indicating a clear slowdown in import demand from the US market.
(vasep.com.vn) At the seminar “Global Seafood Markets and the Future Workforce: Trends, Opportunities and Directions for the Sustainable Development of Vietnam’s Fisheries Sector,” held as part of VIETFISH 2026, Ms. Shirlene Maria Anthonysamy, Fisheries Officer (Markets) and GLOBEFISH Coordinator at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), presented initiatives aimed at promoting youth participation in fisheries and aquaculture.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first seven months of 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius exports to the United States reached US$189 million, down 8% year-on-year. In July alone, export value reached US$22 million, down 28%. This trend indicates that U.S. demand for pangasius imports has remained relatively cautious this year, as importers tend to maintain moderate inventory levels and limit stockpiling.
(vasep.com.vn) After three days at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City, the Vietnam International Fisheries Exhibition – VIETFISH 2026 – has successfully concluded, leaving a strong impression in terms of scale, visitor numbers, the quality of business connections, and innovative activities. With more than 14,000 m² of exhibition space, 335 companies, 568 booths, participation from representatives of 17 countries and territories, and nearly 15,000 visitors, VIETFISH 2026 has once again affirmed its role as an important meeting point for Vietnam’s and the global seafood industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Held as part of Vietfish 2026 from August 19–21 at SECC in Ho Chi Minh City, a series of five specialized seminars provided the seafood business community with updates on markets, technology, standards, human resources and cooperation opportunities. With the participation of experts, international organizations, government agencies and businesses from Vietnam and abroad, the seminars created an additional platform for professional exchange alongside the exhibition’s product showcases and business networking activities.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On the morning of August 19, 2026, the Vietnam International Seafood Exhibition – VIETFISH 2026 officially opened at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City. With 568 booths representing 335 companies, alongside the presence of senior government officials, local authorities, diplomatic missions and international partners, VIETFISH 2026 kicks off three days of business networking, technology exchange and market engagement under the overarching theme “Innovation and Sustainability.”
The Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) officially announces that the Vietnam International Seafood Exhibition (Vietfish 2026) will take place from August 19–21, 2026, at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC), Ho Chi Minh City.
VASEP - HIỆP HỘI CHẾ BIẾN VÀ XUẤT KHẨU THỦY SẢN VIỆT NAM
Chịu trách nhiệm: Ông Nguyễn Hoài Nam - Phó Tổng thư ký Hiệp hội
Đơn vị vận hành trang tin điện tử: Trung tâm VASEP.PRO
Trưởng Ban Biên tập: Bà Phùng Thị Kim Thu
Giấy phép hoạt động Trang thông tin điện tử tổng hợp số 138/GP-TTĐT, ngày 01/10/2013 của Bộ Thông tin và Truyền thông
Tel: (+84 24) 3.7715055 – (ext.203); email: kimthu@vasep.com.vn
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Tel: (+84 24) 3.7715055 - Fax: (+84 24) 37715084 - Email: vasephn@vasep.com.vn