Agriculture Secretary Proceso J Alcala said the Department of Agriculture (DA) is proposing a PHP 4.6 billion (USD 111 million) budget for the fishery sector under its 2013 national expenditure programme, so that BFAR can recover and sustain the country’s fishery production, conservation and competitiveness measures.
Alcala, BFAR Director Asis Perez and USAID Environment Chief Rolf Anderson together introduced the “Ecosystems Improved for Sustainable Fisheries” or EcoFish, a project that seeks to safeguard and replenish eight of the country’s marine key biodiversity areas (MKBAs): Calamianes group of islands, in Palawan; Lingayen Gulf in Pangasinan; Ticao Pass and Lagonoy Gulf, in Bicol region; San Bernardino Strait, in Leyte-Samar region; Danajon Double Barrier Reef, spanning Bohol, Cebu, Leyte, Southern Negros Occidental, and Surigao; Sulu archipelago and Verde Island passage, in Batangas.
The project was designed to help achieve priority goals and actions described in the Philippine Development Plan (2011-16) in the areas of sustainable agriculture and fisheries and the conservation and rehabilitation of natural resources. It also supports the US assistance strategy to reduce threats to biodiversity and further natural resources, PIA reports.
EcoFish also seeks to make the management of important coastal and marine resources better via biological diversity conservation, ecosystem productivity enhancement and restoration of fisheries profitability.
But Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) believes something is fishy about the Ecofish Project. The group argues that it will only promote country-wide fishing ban that will harm small fishers and even commercial fishing operators all over the Philippines – and that the ulterior motive is to reserve the resources for industrial fishing fleets, Business Mirror reports.
“While the purpose is to allow regeneration of fishery resources, its overriding objective is to make sure that First World industrial fishing fleets would continue to enjoy stable supply of fish in the near future,” Fernando Hicap, national chairman of Pamalakaya, said.
Meanwhile, Alcala said BFAR recently issued Fisheries Administrative Order No 167 as part of the government’s fish conservation policy, which imposes a closed season for sardines, herrings and mackerels in the Visayas Sea and Zamboanga peninsula, from 15 November 2012 to 15 February 2013, during species’ spawning season. The ban is meant to allow the fish to reproduce and propagate.
“When there are more sardines in the sea, tuna species are attracted and feed on them. This situation eventually results to bigger catch of both sardines and tuna,” he added.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The “Moringa Noodles Salad” product by Sa Giang Import-Export Corporation was honored as one of the “Top 10 Winning Products” at the THAIFEX – Anuga taste Innovation Show 2026, held as part of THAIFEX – Anuga Asia 2026 in Bangkok.
(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.
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