Sharif stated that Indonesia has approved the WCPFC convention through the Presidential Decree No.16 2013 on the approval of the Highly Migratory Species Conservation and Management in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean. Furthermore, Indonesia has its WCPFC entry into force since Nov. 29, 2013, and WCPFC accepted the Indonesia Government Declaration stating that the Indonesia's WCPFC's convention zone only encompasses the Indonesia Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) that is adjacent and does not cover the waters of archipelago, territories, and Indonesian deep waters. "Adding into this new membership, Indonesia has now been a state member of three Regional Fishery Organization comprising Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC), Commission on Conservation of Southern Bluefin Tuna (CCSBT) and Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC)," said the Minister.
Sharif asserted that the Constitution No.45 2009 on the fishery obliges Indonesia to be the member of WCPFC. The Constitution's Article 10 section (2) states that the Government has to actively participate in the regional and international board/institution/organization within the framework of regional and international fishery management cooperation. The subsection (e) of the Constitution No.22 2009 explains that a country conducting the fishing activity on the high seas is obliged to be a member of the existing regional organization or to establish a regional organization. Indonesia is also obliged to be a WCPFC's member regarding to the Indonesia's tuna production contribution that reaches 30% of all the state members'. Indonesia is the world's highest tuna potency country. Its annual tuna production hits 613,575 tons with the value reaching Rp. 6.3 trillion. "Gifted with the splendid geographical blessings comprising of two large oceans (Pacific and Indian), making Indonesia the most important country for the global tuna production, both in terms of the resource and the marketing," Mr. Sutardjo explained.
By joining the WCPFC, Indonesia obtains a number qualitative benefits; the capacity building of the fish capture production business in the WCPFC's convention zone; the Indonesian tuna caught in the WCPFC zone is legal both in the regional and international markets; Indonesia has a voting rights in the decision making during the Commission meetings; and the fulfillment of the Indonesia's obligations in the framework of the implementation of UNCLOS 1982. Meanwhile, through the economic benefit window, Indonesia's fishery export will be seamless and increased to the export destination countries. "The economical benefit for Indonesia is expected to reach around US$ 35.5 million from 5889 tons of bigeye tuna, with the assumption of Rp. 60.000/kg," he explained.
Sustainable Fisheries
Sharif continued that the tuna management has currently been facing a number of challenges - the productivity reduction, the size shrinkage, and the fishing zone getting further into high seas. MMAF therefore initializes the sustainable fishery development. MMAF conducts the research on tuna population which comprises the tuna reproduction and genetics, the water temperature and the tuna swimming depth and the tuna mealtime, as well as the observation to the fish landing site on the port. "The research conducted by the Benoa Tuna Research Center is one of the MMAF's commitments to maintain the tuna resource sustainability in the Indonesian Ocean as well as to meet the world's demand," he conveyed.
In the Indonesian Fishery Management Zone (IFMZ), Sharif added, the exploitation status of albacore, yellow fin, bigeye and blue fin tuna is high with the status of fully exploited and even over exploited, with the skipjack tuna that has only has status of moderate. The cooperation of all parties, both local, national, and international is extremely necessary in order to save the tuna resource. "Tuna is a kind of fish whose management is not the responsibility of only one nation. Therefore, the national tuna management status has to be monitored and organized by the regional fishery management institutions that regulate the global tuna management," he concluded.
(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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