“Right now, we already have 14 catcher vessels in the area,” said lawyer Asis Perez, director of the Philippines Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).
Perez said he was told by members of the Socsksargen Federation of Fishing and Allied Industries (SFFAI) that approximately 3,000 metric tons in tuna catches originating from the area have already been landed in General
Pocket 1 High Seas, some 700 nautical miles (around 1,300 kilometers) southeast of General Santos City, was opened exclusively for Filipino fishing vessels in October last year after it was close to tuna purse seine operations in 2010 and 2011.
The Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission allowed 36 Filipino tuna catcher vessels with gross tonnage of not more than 250 metric tons to operate in an area of about 590,000 square kilometers east of
Pocket 1 High Seas lie along the tuna migratory path that stretches from the Indian Ocean to the
It has become a traditional fishing ground for Filipino tuna fishermen as global demand for canned tuna increased over the last 3 decades.
The
Deployment of Filipino fishing vessels in Pocket 1 High Seas however was halted after super Typhoon Pablo.
The Philippine exemption, originally set to expire last month, was extended indefinitely except during the WCPFC imposed 4-month FAD ban from July to October every year.
Perez said they are hoping Filipino companies who have been identified as among those allowed to operate in Pocket 1 High Seas will be able to deploy their fishing fleet within the year.
The projected volume of catch, he said, will further increase revenues for the tuna industry.
Annual Philippine export revenues from canned, processed and fresh chilled tuna are averaging at USD 250 million.
(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.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Entering 2026, the U.S. whitefish market has shown complex developments as global cod supply continues to tighten, while the U.S. trade environment becomes less stable. In this context, the U.S. market has had to become more flexible in sourcing alternative whitefish. However, relying heavily on Alaska pollock is not a long-term solution, as it is a strictly managed fishery with quotas and sustainability regulations, limiting any rapid increase in output to offset cod shortages.
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