Data from the Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA) showed that export-grade yellowfin tuna landing in the first quarter of the year reached only 505 metric tons.
This is down 4.3 percent or 23 MT from the 528 recorded in the first three months of 2012, data from the state-owned corporation added.
PFDA, an attached agency of the Department of Agriculture, manages the operation of the local fish port complex, as well as seven other fish complexes in the different parts of the country.
The best yellowfin tuna stocks go mostly to the
Most of the fresh mature yellowfin tuna landed locally goes to the domestic markets, simply because they do not pass the export quality.
There was in fact a significant increase in the landings of non-export grade yellow fin tuna in the first quarter of 2013 to 2,034 MT from 1,517 MT for the same period last year, up 34 percent or by 517 MT.
The sashimi-grade tuna fetches a hefty average buying price of P355 per kilogram (kg) in the first quarter of 2013. For the same period last year, the average gate price was P325/kg or cheaper by P30/kg.
On the other hand, those sold in the domestic market in the first three months of 2013 commanded an average buying price of P218/kg and P148 for the same period in 2012.
But who unload the best catches of the day these past years?
John Heitz, export chief of GenSan Aqua Traders who has been in the industry for at least two decades, said it is not the big fishing industry players anymore but the small ordinary fishermen.
The American expatriate cited earlier the stricter policy of
The pact provided licenses to the
“It’s not anymore the big fishing boats that are bringing in the best tuna catch but the small ones owned by poor fishermen,” Rolly Puno, a tuna fish classifier, also observed way back in 2009.
These small boats venture in the sea for a few days so their catches unloaded here most of the time are the freshest, he said.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The Quang Tri Department of Agriculture and Environment has instructed localities to base their stocking schedules on actual conditions in each farming area, while developing plans, allocating resources, and implementing synchronized measures for disease prevention and disaster risk management in aquaculture production.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first two months of 2026, Vietnam’s exports of fish cakes and surimi exceeded USD 45 million, up 7% compared to the same period in 2025, indicating a positive outlook for this product segment amid recovering demand in many markets.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) During the week from April 4th to 10th, 2026, Quang Ngai province intensified its monitoring and law enforcement activities with the determination to eliminate illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing practices.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Thanh Hoa’s shrimp sector is undergoing a strong transformation by accelerating the adoption of high technology, helping to improve productivity, increase profits, and meet market demands. The province currently has about 4,100 hectares of shrimp farming, with output continuing to rise despite stable farming area, mainly due to the shift from traditional methods to intensive and super-intensive farming.
(vasep.com.vn) Amid ongoing volatility in global seafood trade, Vietnam’s crab exports have made a fairly positive start to 2026. According to Vietnam Customs statistics, export turnover in the first two months of 2026 reached nearly USD 55 million, up 24% compared to the same period in 2025 and more than 2.2 times higher than in the same period of 2024. This indicates that crab exports are entering 2026 with stronger growth momentum, particularly in Asian markets.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Da Nang City has fully implemented all recommendations from the European Commission (EC) regarding the fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, creating an important foundation for the removal of the “yellow card” in the near future.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In Hoa Vang district (Da Nang City), red tilapia farming is demonstrating clear economic efficiency, becoming a promising livelihood that helps many households increase their income. A notable example is the model of Mr. Huynh Ngoc Nam, who operates two red tilapia ponds covering more than 4 hectares, generating stable annual income.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In Gia Vien district, tilapia farming—particularly the “duong nghiep” strain—is expanding rapidly and gradually becoming an efficient production model for local farmers. Hatcheries in the area are supplying high-quality, uniform, and disease-free fingerlings, meeting the growing demand for commercial farming.
(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.
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