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.
On July 22, 2026, the Government issued Decree No. 292/2026/ND-CP detailing certain articles and providing measures for the organization and implementation of the Law on Foreign Trade Management. The Decree takes effect on September 5, 2026, replacing Decree No. 69/2018/ND-CP.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnamese pangasius producer Vinh Hoan has won the top prize at the 2026 Seafood Excellence Asia Awards for its Cured Panga Croquette, highlighting the growing potential of value-added pangasius products in international markets.
(vasep.com.vn) The Global Shrimp Forum (GSF) 2026 is taking place from September 1–3 in Utrecht, the Netherlands, bringing together around 585 delegates from 40 countries, representing approximately 300 companies and organizations across the shrimp supply chain. Representatives from VASEP are attending the event as part of the Vietnamese delegation, strengthening connections with partners across the global shrimp industry.
(vasep.com.vn) At the international B2B seminar (Hosted Buyer Program) held as part of Vietfish 2026, Mr. Nguyen Hoang Pham, Sales Director of Tai Kim Anh Seafood Processing Joint Stock Company, delivered a presentation entitled “Vietnam’s Shrimp Industry: Changing for Sustainability.” From the perspective of a seafood processor, the presentation highlighted that Vietnam’s shrimp industry continues to play a leading role in seafood exports, but is entering a new phase of competition in which change is no longer an option, but a prerequisite for growth.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) VIETFISH 2026 may have concluded after three dynamic days in Ho Chi Minh City, but conversations around the exhibition continue to resonate across international trade media, industry organizations, and the social media channels of participating companies.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia industry is maintaining strong growth momentum, with significant room for further expansion in the coming years. In 2025, total tilapia production reached approximately 420,000 tonnes, up 33% from 2024 and 2.2 times higher than in 2015. During 2015–2025, production grew at an average annual rate of around 8.4%. As production and exports continue to expand, food safety control is receiving increasing attention to ensure product quality, meet the increasingly stringent requirements of international markets, and provide a foundation for the sustainable development of Vietnam’s tilapia industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On the afternoon of August 19, 2026, as part of the Vietnam International Seafood Exhibition – Vietfish 2026, the Hosted Buyer Program continued with the seminar “Vietnam Seafood Outlook 2026–2027: A Strategic Sourcing Destination,” followed by 1-to-1 B2B meetings between international buyers and Vietnamese seafood businesses.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Speaking at the Opening Ceremony of VIETFISH 2026 on August 19 at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC), U.S. Consul General Melissa Brown highlighted the important role of the exhibition in connecting Vietnam’s growing seafood industry with buyers, suppliers, and partners from the United States and around the world.
(vasep.com.vn) Tomorrow, August 19, 2026, the Vietnam International Seafood Exhibition – Vietfish 2026 will officially open at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City. Taking place over three days, from August 19–21, Vietfish 2026 promises to provide a dynamic platform for business networking, trend updates, product experiences and comprehensive cooperation across the domestic and international seafood community.
(vasep.com.vn) The global tilapia market continues to grow, creating significant opportunities for countries with strengths in aquaculture, processing, and exports. Against this backdrop, Vietnam’s tilapia industry is gradually developing toward higher quality, greater product diversification, and broader market reach. At Vietfish 2026, the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), together with the VASEP Tilapia Producers and Exporters Club, will host a joint booth to promote the image and potential of Vietnamese tilapia to domestic and international buyers.
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