The position includes a call for a reduction in catches for bigeye tuna in the region, which is being overfished. ISSF also advocates for a catch limit, determined by each species’ stock evaluation and productivity, placed on the amount of north Pacific albacore, yellowfin and skipjack taken by vessels in the region.
In order to meet the requirements outlined in the Antigua Convention, ISSF urges IATTC to establish stock-specific reference points; recommending that the IATTC set interim reference points, much like the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission did, which can be evaluated further by the staff for expected performance under various harvest control rules. RFMO members should also agree to a performance review, to be completed prior the next IATTC annual meeting. The review should assess the performance of the individual members as well as the collective organisation.
In an effort to promote capacity limitations, ISSF has called upon the IATTC and its members to address all ambiguities associated with its Regional Vessel Register to ensure the total amount of well capacity is limited to maintain a level that matches the productivity of the eastern Pacific’s tuna stocks. In addition, the IATTC should effectively limit the capacity of gears other than purse seine.
Other improvements supported in the ISSF position statement include the development of a regional FAD management plan through FAD data gathering, along with sharing the results of current and future research on FAD construction and bycatch mitigation. ISSF also called on all RFMOs to adopt measures to mandate that fins remain naturally attached for any sharks retained onboard, and to adopt a prohibition on deliberate purse seine setting around whale sharks.
Full retention of catch is also highlighted in the position statement along with a similar measure for the full retention of all bycatch by purse seine vessels, except where otherwise prohibited by IATTC or national regulations, or where the animal can be released alive. These measures are also supported by ISSF Conservation Measures.
EU Fisheries Commissioner Maria Damanaki commented: "It is paramount for members of the supply chain to have tools for monitoring the situation and engaging actively in improvements to source fisheries."
She added: "We all have the responsibility to ensure fish stocks long-term sustainability. Within this objective it is necessary to keep fisheries impacts within sustainable bounds, by including all knowledge we have about the interactions between fisheries and marine ecosystems".
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first six months of 2026, Ha Tinh province continued to implement comprehensive solutions to combat IUU fishing; strictly manage the fishing fleet, control fishing vessels entering and leaving ports, operate vessel tracking devices, trace the origin of seafood, and severely punish violations.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam's tilapia exports reached USD 7 million in June 2026, down 32% compared with the same month in 2025. Nevertheless, thanks to strong growth in the first five months of the year, cumulative tilapia exports in the first half of 2026 totaled USD 69 million, up 67% year on year.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Sa Giang Import-Export Joint Stock Company, a member of the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), has been honored with the "Famous Brand - Competitive Vietnamese Brand 2026" certification at an award ceremony organized by the Vietnam Intellectual Property Association (VIPA).
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) China imported nearly $1.4 billion worth of Vietnamese seafood in the first half of the year, a 40% increase compared to the same period last year, surpassing the US to become the largest export market for the industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) As part of Vietfish 2026, the International Seafood Hosted Buyer Program has been designed as a dedicated B2B matchmaking initiative for selected international buyers. The program provides opportunities to meet directly with Vietnamese seafood companies, gain market insights, and experience Vietnam's seafood supply chain firsthand.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) A Story from Cà Mau’s Coast It’s 5 AM in Cà Mau. Minh, a third-generation fisherman, is ready to set sail. But unlike his father and grandfather, his boat no longer runs on an old diesel engine that burns fuel and clouds the sky with smoke. Instead, it’s powered by a hybrid engine that saves 40% fuel—funded by an ESG program from a major seafood exporter.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam's pangasius industry is shifting its focus from increasing production volume to enhancing value-added products in order to meet the increasingly stringent requirements of export markets. In An Giang Province—the country's leading hub for pangasius farming and processing—businesses and farmers are prioritizing product quality, traceability, food safety, and sustainable development rather than expanding output.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Following strong growth in 2025, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Sweden continued to edge higher during the first five months of 2026. However, the picture is far from straightforward. Orders have fluctuated significantly from month to month, indicating that this market remains cautious, with purchasing decisions closely tied to actual demand and the import cycles of Nordic distributors rather than to a steady upward trend.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) China’s shrimp imports in the first five months of 2026 continued to surpass the same period in 2025, indicating that demand in the world’s largest seafood-consuming market remains strong. However, behind the growth figures lies an increasingly competitive landscape: Ecuador dominates the competitively priced whiteleg shrimp segment, India remains the second-largest supplier, while Vietnam stands out in the lobster segment but still needs to strengthen its advantages through quality, traceability, and reliable supply.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Lobster exports to China continued to surge in the first half of this year, putting the lobster industry on the verge of reaching an export value exceeding $1 billion.
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