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) Japan continues to be one of Vietnam’s most important and stable shrimp markets. In recent years, shrimp exports to this market have fluctuated in line with Japan’s broader economic and consumption cycles, yet Japan remains a major, high-value destination with stringent standards.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Spain increased by 13% compared to 2024. This growth trend has continued into the first two months of 2026. According to Vietnam Customs statistics, export turnover to this market reached nearly USD 3 million in January–February 2026, up 101% year-on-year and significantly higher than the same period in 2024. This development indicates that Spain is once again becoming a notable destination for Vietnamese tuna amid strong demand for tuna raw materials and products in Europe.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The 2026 brackish water shrimp farming season in the Mekong Delta has started earlier than usual, mainly driven by positive market signals, as shrimp prices in 2025 remained high and supply was limited. Many enterprises and farms in Cần Thơ, Cà Mau, and Vĩnh Long have proactively stocked early to seize opportunities. By early 2026, stocking areas in many localities had reached a high proportion of planned targets, with intensive and high-tech farming models expanding rapidly.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports to the United States recorded remarkable growth in 2025, opening up major opportunities while also presenting considerable challenges. The U.S. remains the largest importer of Vietnamese tilapia fillets, with export turnover reaching USD 40 million—an increase of up to 499% compared to 2024. This impressive growth reflects strong demand in the U.S. market, as supply from competing countries such as China has been constrained by tariffs and rising production costs.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Pangasius remains a strategic export commodity in Vietnam’s seafood sector. Entering 2026, the industry faces a strong need to transition from volume-based growth to a value-driven development model, with a focus on quality, food safety, and sustainability.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Following damage caused by Storm No. 13 in late 2025, brackish water shrimp farming in Gia Lai is being rapidly restored. In key farming areas such as Tuy Phước and Tuy Phước Đông, farmers are focusing on rehabilitating ponds, repairing infrastructure, and treating the environment in preparation for the 2026 crop.
(seafood.vasep.com) Facing the decline in fishery resources, Vietnam is accelerating livelihood transitions for fishermen to reduce fishing pressure and move toward sustainable development. Marine fish stocks have dropped significantly from 4.82 million tons in 2000–2005 to 3.95 million tons in 2016–2020.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s shrimp industry is entering a period of strong transformation with the emergence of various high-tech farming models, helping improve productivity and competitiveness. Over the past 5–10 years, farming practices have shifted from traditional methods to intensive and super-intensive systems, featuring lined ponds, environmental sensors, automated feeding, and data management.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) With a focus on sustainable development, high-tech application, and climate change adaptation, An Giang Province aims to maintain its brackish water shrimp production in 2026 at a level equivalent to the previous year. Specifically, output is projected to reach over 155,510 tons, serving both domestic consumption and export processing, thereby sustaining the fisheries sector’s key role in the local economic structure.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the Mekong Delta, key pangasius farming provinces such as An Giang, Dong Thap, and Can Tho are accelerating the transition toward a circular economy model, contributing to higher product value and reduced environmental impact. Instead of focusing solely on farming and processing, the pangasius value chain is increasingly utilizing by-products and waste streams to generate added value.
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