Organized by the Socsksargen Federation of Fishing and Allied Industries, Inc. (SFFAII), the congress passed 10 resolutions which tackled the tuna industry’s perennial issues to continue making it a major contributor to the national economy.
According to tuna congress Chairman Joaquin Lu, among the congress’ most important development is the growing support of the government for the creation of the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources to make the fishery sector competitive globally.
Lu, a leading player in the tuna industry, said both the Senate and the House of Representatives have expressed their support for the creation of the said department.
He said Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala has expressed support for the said measure noting that major fishing countries have a line government ministry to oversee fisheries related matters.
Senate agriculture committee chairman Francis Pangilinan, who delivered the closing speech, expressed his support to the congressional effort.
He noted that in international ministerial conferences, the
Currently, the country is represented by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), an agency under the DA, headed by a director.
The tuna congress also requested the Maritime Industry Administration (Marina) and the BAR to fast track the issuance of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of the Handline Fishing Law.
Lu said the IRR has become doubly important now that the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission granted early this year fishing access to Philippine fishing vessels at Pocket 1 of the world’s fishing grounds under a Special Management Arrangement.
Congress delegates also called for the rationalization of the Customs and Tariff Code or the Cabotage Law to reduce freight costs, and improve efficiency of passenger and cargo services.
Conference delegates also supported privatization efforts of the
The studies were conducted by Socsksargen Area Development Project Office to further enhance trade and commerce in the Socsksargen Region.
The participants also strongly reiterated their call to expedite government efforts on mutually beneficial arrangements on international maritime boundaries and the strengthening of security programs in southern Philippine waters.
The congress also called on the deferment of the ratification of the Torremolinos Protocol of the United Nations International Maritime Organization until consensus among stakeholders has been attained.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On the afternoon of March 19, Vice Chairman of the Ca Mau Provincial People’s Committee, Le Van Su, chaired a meeting to address bottlenecks and propose solutions to expand the super-intensive whiteleg shrimp farming model using low water exchange and high biosecurity standards (RAS-IMTA).
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On March 10, 2026, the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee issued Decision No. 1377/QD-UBND approving the Aquatic Animal Disease Prevention and Control Plan for the 2026–2030 period. The decision takes effect from the date of signing and replaces previous plans for the 2021–2030 period that had been issued prior to the administrative merger in Ba Ria – Vung Tau, Binh Duong, and Ho Chi Minh City.
(vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Chile imported more than USD 156 million worth of tuna, up 8.1% compared to the previous year and the highest level in the past five years. As the supply structure in this market is rapidly shifting, Vietnamese tuna is facing both opportunities to expand market share and increasing competitive pressure from Thailand, Colombia, and China.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vinh Long Province is stepping up efforts to develop brackish water shrimp farming in a sustainable direction, identifying it as a key sector in its agricultural structure. In 2026, the province aims to reach around 71,300 hectares of shrimp farming, with an output of over 314,000 tons.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Ha Tinh Province is strengthening control over shrimp seed quality to minimize risks for the 2026 spring–summer farming season.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In February 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius exports reached USD 119 million, down slightly 5% year-on-year. However, thanks to strong performance in January, cumulative exports in the first two months of the year still reached USD 331 million, up 28% compared to the same period in 2025. Export activity slowed somewhat in February due to seasonal factors, particularly the Lunar New Year holiday, which disrupted production and shipments at many seafood processing enterprises.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Da Nang is accelerating the development of high-tech shrimp farming toward intensive production, disease control, and improved efficiency. Many shrimp farms have invested in automated environmental monitoring systems, continuously tracking indicators such as pH, dissolved oxygen, temperature, and salinity, enabling farmers to promptly adjust pond conditions and reduce disease risks.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The year 2025 is considered a turning point for Vietnam’s shrimp seed industry as the sector faces the need for strong transformation in technology, production management, and gradual self-sufficiency in broodstock supply. These factors are seen as key to improving seed quality and strengthening the competitiveness of the shrimp industry amid increasingly demanding market requirements.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In February 2026, Vietnam’s shrimp exports reached nearly USD 310 million, up 17% year-on-year. Cumulatively for the first two months of the year, shrimp export value totaled USD 690 million, an increase of 20% compared with the same period last year. Compared with the 22% growth recorded in January, the pace of increase in February slowed somewhat, reflecting seasonal factors as the Lunar New Year holiday partially disrupted processing and shipment activities. Nevertheless, the nearly 20% growth in the first two months indicates that shrimp orders from Vietnam are maintaining a more positive trend than in the same period last year.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to the latest statistics for January 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius export value to major market blocs recorded encouraging growth compared with the same period last year, indicating that consumption demand is gradually recovering.
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