The Japanese and the Russian governments will conclude a bilateral agreement on the prevention of crab poaching in the Russian waters in the Sea of Okhotsk, including the areas around the four disputed northern islands for which Japan claims its territorial rights, it was learned on August 25. The pact is aimed at holding in check the declining trend of crab stocks by overexploitation.
The agreement, due to be formally signed at the Japan-Russia summit meeting scheduled for next month in Vladivostok next month, purports that Moscow will issue certificates on fishing areas and quantities in exporting crab to Japan, while the Japanese government will authorize traders to import the crab after confirming the legitimacy of the crab at its customs office in a bid to prevent distribution of poached crab in the Japanese market.
The two governments are now working on finalizing the agreement including prevention of falsification of the certificates, using for reference the case of the imports of tuna – a species for which there is concern about possible depletion.
According to the Japanese competent offices, including the Foreign Ministry and the Fisheries Agency, the Russian government establishes the catch quota for crab in the Russian Far East area from the Kamchatka Peninsula to the area around Sakhalin--about 46,000 tons 2012--and permits the catch by the duly authorized fishing vessels. In spite of this regulation, however, illegal catch of crab has not been halted.
In 2011, Japan imported 32,731 tons of king crab and snow crab from Russia, but in reality there has been no way to identify whether or not the crab was caught illegally.
A Hokkaido seafood trader points out that the crab actually imported to Japan could amount to about twice or three times larger than legitimate volumes.
Russian crab account for about 40% of overall crab distributed in Japan, and market participants believe that the new agreement might most likely affect the supply and prices of crab in Japan.
At their Foreign Ministers' meeting later in July, the two countries agreed on improving the environment over the bilateral talks on the territorial issue by accumulating cooperation in the areas of national security and economy. Informed sources note that the crab agreement came fully in line with this move.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The “Moringa Noodles Salad” product by Sa Giang Import-Export Corporation was honored as one of the “Top 10 Winning Products” at the THAIFEX – Anuga taste Innovation Show 2026, held as part of THAIFEX – Anuga Asia 2026 in Bangkok.
(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.
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