This is an important step to stop Vietnamese seafood from being warned or prohibited from importing to key markets such as the European Union and the United States.
According to VASEP, Viet Nam could be fined by the EU with a "yellow card" if it does not promptly and fully adhere to EU’s requirements on fighting IUU fishing, which are related to the five recommendations made by the Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (DG MARE)’s working group during the reviewed period of May 15-19, 2017, in Viet Nam.
If a country is subject to a yellow card (an official EU warning), it will create nervousness among EU retailers in connection with seafood imported from that country, and they may substitute the seafood from that particular country. If the country is fined with a red card, its seafood products will be prohibited from import into the EU.
The IUU regulation applies to all vessels of EU or the third country at EU ports and all seafood products imported to or exported from EU countries. This regulation is to ensure that no illegally harvested fishery products enter the EU market.
VASEP said its members were aware of the importance of the IUU regulations and relevance for seafood businesses, and realised that the fight against IUU would be a long-term process that needed active and regular participation of seafood businesses.
VASEP members said it is necessary to set up a management board for seafood businesses to fight against IUU fishing.
EU played a leading role in the global fight against IUU fishing. The IUU regulation came into effect of October 1, 2010, aiming to ensure that only seafood products certified by the national authorised body or exporting country are imported to or exported from EU.
The list of IUU fishing vessels will be regularly updated, which are defined by the Regional Fisheries Management Organisations (RFMOs).
Deputy Head of the Directorate of Fisheries’ Technology Science and International Co-operation Department Nguyen Thi Trang Nhung told nonnghiep.vn newspaper that 24 countries and territories had received penalty cards under the IUU regulation, including countries and territories with modern fishing fleets, of which 13 nations had their penalty cards withdrawn thanks to improved management systems, including Ghana, Guinea, Panama and Papua New Guinea, as well as the Philippines, South Korea and Sri Lanka.
Of the remainder, three nations were given red cards -- Cambodia, Conmoros, and Saint Vincent and Grenadines -- and eight nations and territories were given yellow cards, including Siera Leone, Taiwan, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, and Tuvalu.
As for the role of State management, Nhung said relevant agencies were taking urgent measures to prevent Vietnamese fishing vessels from illegally fishing in the waters of the Pacific islands. It would focus on strengthening controlling measures at ports in localities, increasing inspection and expanding the network of Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) for large vessels.
“The Vietnamese agencies will strengthen co-operation on fighting IUU fishing with countries in the region and the Pacific islands and join the Food and Agriculture Organisation’s Agreement on Port State Measures and the UN Fish Stocks Agreement," she said.
Source: VNS
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Currently, Da Nang City has no fishing vessels detained, sanctioned by foreign authorities, or criminally prosecuted for IUU fishing violations. Patrols, monitoring of marine fishing activities, and handling of violations have been prioritized by competent forces, significantly reducing nearshore fishing infringements.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to statistics from Vietnam Customs, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Israel in the first nine months of 2025 reached just over USD 27 million, down as much as 49% compared to the same period in 2024. This is a steep and prolonged decline for many consecutive months, reflecting changes in import demand as well as shifts in the supply structure of this market.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The first 700 tons of Vietnamese tilapia ordered and imported by JBS Group will initially be distributed through supermarket chains, the Horeca network and JBS’s product showrooms in Brazil.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In October 2025, Vietnam’s pangasius exports hit $217 million, representing an 8% increase compared to the same month in 2024. For the first 10 months of the year, total export value has surpassed $1.8 billion, up 9% year-on-year. This growth demonstrates clear positive momentum for the pangasius industry, despite continued declines in certain markets.
In recent days, the Central provinces of Vietnam have been suffering from historic flooding, with prolonged heavy rains, landslides, flash floods, and deep inundation causing extremely serious impacts on tens of thousands of households, as well as many VASEP member exporters located in the region. With the spirit of mutual support and solidarity, and in order to promptly assist residents and member exporters in the affected areas to stabilize their lives and restore production activities, VASEP calls on all seafood exporters, organizations, and individuals to extend supports to the people and member exporters in the flood-hit areas. We urge timely and practical material and spiritual contributions to help member exporters and local communities in the severely affected provinces overcome this difficult period.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the final days of October 2025, Vietnam’s domestic raw shrimp market remained generally stable, though slight adjustments were recorded in several sizes across key farming regions.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s shrimp exports reached USD 498 million in October 2025, up 26% from the same period last year. This is one of the highest monthly revenues since the beginning of the year, reflecting solid demand in major markets and faster shipment schedules by exporters. From January to October, shrimp export value reached USD 3.9 billion, up 22% compared to the same period in 2024.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On October 31, 2025, the US Court of International Trade (CIT) officially issued an order to suspend the case filed by the National Fisheries Institute (NFI), the National Restaurant Association (NRA), and several US seafood companies against the US Government concerning the implementation of the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA).
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) An Giang’s fisheries sector has maintained stable growth momentum during the first nine months of 2025, making an important contribution to the province’s socio-economic development. Despite facing numerous challenges, the province is implementing various measures to enhance production efficiency, expand markets, and promote sustainable fisheries development toward deeper integration into the global economy.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s pangasius export value in September 2025 reached USD 181 million, up 5% compared to the same period in 2024. The overall trend for the pangasius industry remains positive, with total exports in the first nine months of 2025 reaching nearly USD 1.6 billion, an increase of 9% year-on-year.
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