The United States is a global leader in sustainable fisheries and is one of the major countries early engaged in international efforts to combat IUU fishing and trade fraud through operational programs, measures and legal systems to minimize fishing and trade in IUU catches that damage the marine environment and fisheries resources.
In recent years, the United States has had specific programs and regulations to combat IUU fishing such as the 2015 IUU Anti-Catching Enforcement Act, Marine Mammal Protection Act, Dolphin-safe program, the Program to Control Imported Fisheries ... according to the regulations applicable to commercial fisheries and export fisheries of the countries. Subjects of application are products imported from identified countries that may have IUU fishing or effects affecting marine mammals.
In addition to the anti-IUU regulations and recommendations that the EU asked Vietnam to implement after issuing the IUU yellow card warning on October 23, 2017, the US regulations are also having a significant impact on the export of Vietnamese seafood to this market.
The United States is always one of the three largest seafood import markets of Vietnam, but the strict regulations of this market make the US share go from 20% in previous years to 17% of the total seafood export turnover of Vietnam in the past 2 years. For Vietnamese seafood and the world, the United States is always an important market, so maintaining stability and boosting exports to this market is not only to increase foreign currency for the country but also affirm the credit and position of Vietnamese seafood in the world market.
With the aim of helping the Vietnamese fisheries community, especially seafood exporters to know about the latest and important information and regulations of the US market related to combating IUU fishing, fishing, responsible farming and exporting, ensuring food safety and hygiene standards, the International Cooperation Department - Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development collaborated with the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) to compile and publish a guidebook called "A Guide to Compliance with Regulations on Combating IUU Fishing and Necessary Recommendations for Exporting Seafood to the United States".
The guidebook covers the concepts, regulations and programs of combating IUU fishing and marine resource conservation by FAO of the United Nations, the United States and Vietnam, with emphasis on regulations and the US programs that apply to exporting countries such as the anti-IUU fishing program, the seafood import surveillance program, the marine mammal conservation program, as well as the introduction of food safety regulations that seafood producers and exporters need to care about and comply with when exporting to this market.
The small 70-page manual, printed in A5 size the book is hopefully a useful document, helping the farming community, fishermen and businesses to realize and improve production, processing and export processes, aiming to maintain the market and increase seafood export turnover to the United States.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first three months of 2026, Vietnam’s exports of fish cake and surimi reached USD 63 million, down 5% compared to the same period last year. Although total export value declined slightly due to decreases in some key markets, many other destinations continued to post strong growth, opening up room for this convenience-oriented processed segment in the coming quarters.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Favorable weather conditions in the early months of 2026 have brought encouraging signs for fisheries activities in Quang Tri. Output has grown steadily, contributing to improved livelihoods for local residents.
Entering 2026, Vietnam’s seafood industry is facing a period of both high expectations and mounting pressures. Following the positive recovery in 2025, production and export activities in Q1/2026 demonstrated the strong adaptability of Vietnam’s seafood business community amid continued global trade volatility, intensifying international competition, and increasingly stringent compliance requirements in import markets.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first quarter of 2026, Vietnam’s shrimp exports reached USD 1.069 billion, up 17.5% compared to the same period in 2025. This is a positive result amid an uneven global shrimp market recovery, intensifying competition among major suppliers, and continued volatility in the international trade environment. However, this growth does not reflect a broad-based recovery across the entire sector, but rather is driven mainly by strong performance in a few markets and specific product segments—most notably lobster exports to China.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tuna exports continued to decline in March 2026. Cumulatively, in the first three months of the year, export value reached USD 208 million, down 4% compared to the same period in 2025. The export landscape shows clear divergence across markets: while the U.S. and EU remain challenging, markets such as Russia, the Middle East, Egypt, the Philippines, and Mexico have emerged as growth bright spots.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In Quang Ngai Province, shrimp farming costs are rising sharply due to लगातार increases in feed, fuel, and input material prices, while farm-gate shrimp prices are declining. This has significantly reduced farmers’ profit margins and increased production risks.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports are experiencing impressive growth, reflecting expanding global demand as well as the sector’s development potential. However, behind the strong growth figures lie limitations in production capacity and supply chains, highlighting the need for sustainable development in the coming period.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s pangasius exports to the Middle East in 2025 and early 2026 have shown notable growth. However, escalating geopolitical tensions in the region have increasingly impacted export activities since March. This situation presents a challenge of balancing market expansion opportunities with rising trade risks.
(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.
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
Đơn vị vận hành trang tin điện tử: Trung tâm VASEP.PRO
Trưởng Ban Biên tập: Bà Phùng Thị Kim Thu
Giấy phép hoạt động Trang thông tin điện tử tổng hợp số 138/GP-TTĐT, ngày 01/10/2013 của Bộ Thông tin và Truyền thông
Tel: (+84 24) 3.7715055 – (ext.203); email: kimthu@vasep.com.vn
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Tel: (+84) 28.628.10430 - Fax: (+84) 28.628.10437 - Email: vasephcm@vasep.com.vn
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Tel: (+84 24) 3.7715055 - Fax: (+84 24) 37715084 - Email: vasephn@vasep.com.vn
