In order to put wild-caught seafood on dinner tables, more than 650,000 marine mammals are killed or seriously injured every year in foreign fisheries after being hooked, entangled or trapped in fishing gear, and enforcement of a US law to protect marine mammals could help prevent tens of thousands of these deaths, according to NRDC’s new report.
The report, titled ‘Net loss: the killing of marine mammals in foreign fisheries’ finds that 91% of seafood consumed in the United States is imported and nearly every foreign fish product sold in the US violates a federal marine mammal protection law.
The wild-caught seafood most enjoyed by Americans – shrimp, tuna, crab, lobster, and salmon – present a particularly significant risk to marine mammals due to the dangerous fishing practices associated with them abroad, the NGO said.
Until the US enforces the law, which requires importing countries to prove they are meeting American standards, consumers can play a role in protecting whales, dolphins and sea lions by choosing American-caught seafood, it added.
“For 40 years, federal watchdogs have failed to enforce a law that could save thousands of whales and dolphins from negligent foreign fishing practices,” said Zak Smith, attorney with NRDC and co-author of the report.
“At the same time, well-meaning US fishermen are being undermined by their own government, which holds them accountable, but not their foreign counterparts.”
Criticism of foreign fisheries extended to Canada, where the report said whales and harbour porpoises are dying because fisheries on the East Coast, notably those that produce crab and lobster, don’t use the same catching techniques.
“Bycatch isn’t just a moral issue, it’s simple economics,” said Acy Cooper, vice president of the Louisiana Shrimpers Association.
“Foreign fishing companies can undercut our prices because they don’t have to invest in ensuring that their exports to the US were caught in a manner that protects marine mammals. Until foreign fleets see real consequences for failing to abide by the law, marine mammals will continue to be harmed around the world and American fishermen will be disadvantaged.”
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s exports of shelled mollusks recorded impressive growth in the first two months of 2025, reaching USD 41 million—an increase of 132% compared to the same period in 2024 (USD 18 million).
According to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), in the first two months of 2025, Vietnam's shrimp exports recorded positive signs with strong growth in a number of important markets, of which lobster exports to China increased sharply.
In recent years, the agricultural and environmental sectors and localities in the province have created favorable conditions to develop and effectively maintain seafood chains, increasing income for people in rural areas.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to Vietnam Customs, the country’s pangasius exports regained growth momentum in February 2025. Export value reached USD 150 million, marking a 66% increase compared to February 2024. Cumulative pangasius export revenue for the first two months of the year totaled USD 284 million, up 11% year-on-year.
Minh Phu Seafood Corp, one of the leading enterprises in shrimp processing and export, is actively promoting cooperation with shrimp farmers to develop the shrimp industry in Ca Mau.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2024, Vietnam’s tuna exports to the Middle East continued their impressive growth, rising by 28% compared to 2023. The Middle East is now emerging as one of Vietnam’s top four tuna export markets.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Recently, the price of Pangasius in the Mekong Delta has increased significantly, making fishermen very excited. However, looking at the overall picture of this industry, the rise in Pangasius prices is not just an opportunity, but also comes with many challenges.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Dishes made from fish, especially pangasius, have become common and are found in nearly all restaurants, hotels, and banquets in Pakistan.
Looking back at the period from 2022 to 2024, crab exports to China have shown significant fluctuations. In 2022, China imported over 62 million USD worth of crabs, averaging 5-9 million USD per month, indicating a stable import demand from China. However, in 2023, exports sharply dropped to 13.3 million USD, averaging only 1-2 million USD per month, due to China's tighter quarantine controls and weakening consumption demand.
In January 2025, Vietnam's shrimp exports to the UK reached over 16 million USD, an 8% increase compared to the same period last year. The UK is the sixth-largest individual market for Vietnam’s shrimp imports, accounting for 5.5% of the total shrimp exports to various markets. Shrimp also holds the largest share (70%) in Vietnam’s total seafood exports to the UK.
VASEP - HIỆP HỘI CHẾ BIẾN VÀ XUẤT KHẨU THỦY SẢN VIỆT NAM
Chịu trách nhiệm: Ông Nguyễn Hoài Nam - Phó Tổng thư ký Hiệp hội
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