Vietnam’s swimming crab fisheries recognized as comparable under the US MMPA

News 10:51 13/05/2026
(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.

 

According to the US notice, in January 2026 Vietnam split its previous fishery code into four separate swimming crab fisheries based on target species and fishing gear, including Fishery IDs 13164, 13206, 13204, and 13205. After reviewing Vietnam’s submissions, supplementary information, and related data, US authorities determined that these four fisheries are comparable in effectiveness to US management programs. This is considered a positive development for Vietnam’s swimming crab industry, especially after the NMFS’s preliminary determination in August 2025 had placed the swimming crab fisheries of Vietnam, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and the Philippines among those not meeting MMPA requirements.

Alongside Vietnam, the swimming crab fisheries of Indonesia and Sri Lanka were also granted comparability findings. In contrast, the Philippines did not receive comparability recognition for its related swimming crab fisheries. As a result, swimming crabs and products derived from those Philippine fisheries will no longer be allowed to enter the United States starting June 11, 2026 — 30 days after the notice publication date.

This means that Vietnamese swimming crab exports to the United States will no longer require a Certificate of Admissibility (COA) and can continue to enter the market under normal procedures as before. However, businesses should note that if imported raw materials are used, they must not source materials from fisheries that are banned or not recognized as comparable in the exporting country. If materials are sourced from other fisheries, the corresponding COA from that country will still be required.

According to NOAA Fisheries, the comparability finding granted to Vietnam will remain valid until December 31, 2029. However, NOAA also noted that the finding may be reconsidered or revoked if Vietnam’s management program no longer meets the applicable requirements. NOAA recommended that Vietnam continue maintaining and strengthening efforts to minimize the risk of mortality and serious injury to marine mammals, including the development of observer programs, electronic monitoring systems, and conservation measures for species such as the Irrawaddy dolphin.

Recognition by the United States helps Vietnam’s swimming crab industry maintain access to an important export market while creating more room for stable exports in the coming years. Nevertheless, MMPA requirements also demonstrate that sustainable fishing practices, fisheries monitoring, and marine mammal protection will increasingly become critical conditions for Vietnam’s seafood sector to maintain its competitive position in the US market.

crab swimming crab us mmpa

TIN MỚI CẬP NHẬT

Vietnamese brackish-water tilapia enters Japan’s sashimi market

 |  11:02 14/09/2026

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnamese tilapia is moving into a higher-value segment as brackish-water farmed fish from the Mekong Delta is now being processed for sashimi and exported regularly to Japan.

Addressing the IUU “Yellow Card” in Ca Mau: Digitalizing Data and Tightening Fishing Vessel Management

 |  14:53 08/09/2026

(seafoo.vasep.com.vn) Ca Mau Province is stepping up efforts to protect aquatic resources and promote transparent and sustainable fisheries, joining the country’s efforts to have the European Commission (EC) remove its “yellow card” warning for illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

Vietnam emerges as key seafood supplier to China’s $20 billion market

 |  08:28 07/09/2026

(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam has strengthened its position in China’s massive seafood market, becoming the largest lobster supplier while maintaining a dominant share of the country’s imported pangasius.

What did businesses and buyers find at Vietfish 2026?

 |  10:14 03/09/2026

(vasep.com.vn) Vietfish 2026 was more than just a larger exhibition space. Through B2B meetings, booth discussions, production-chain visits and post-show feedback, businesses and buyers found something more concrete: suitable suppliers, processing capabilities, technology solutions, new markets and a foundation for building long-term trust and partnerships.

Vietnam’s tilapia exports to the US: a large market, but a breakthrough remains elusive

 |  07:54 02/09/2026

(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports to the United States declined significantly in the first seven months of 2026. Cumulative export value reached US$18 million, down 42% from the same period in 2025. In July alone, exports amounted to just US$2 million, plunging 70%, indicating a clear slowdown in import demand from the US market.

The future workforce: the fisheries sector must become a career of choice

 |  07:58 31/08/2026

(vasep.com.vn) At the seminar “Global Seafood Markets and the Future Workforce: Trends, Opportunities and Directions for the Sustainable Development of Vietnam’s Fisheries Sector,” held as part of VIETFISH 2026, Ms. Shirlene Maria Anthonysamy, Fisheries Officer (Markets) and GLOBEFISH Coordinator at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), presented initiatives aimed at promoting youth participation in fisheries and aquaculture.

From POR21 Pressure to Opportunities for Vietnam’s Pangasius to Expand into Potential Markets

 |  08:31 25/08/2026

(vasep.com.vn) In the first seven months of 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius exports to the United States reached US$189 million, down 8% year-on-year. In July alone, export value reached US$22 million, down 28%. This trend indicates that U.S. demand for pangasius imports has remained relatively cautious this year, as importers tend to maintain moderate inventory levels and limit stockpiling.

VIETFISH 2026 Successfully Concludes: record scale, innovation highlights, and meaningful business connections

 |  19:33 23/08/2026

(vasep.com.vn) After three days at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City, the Vietnam International Fisheries Exhibition – VIETFISH 2026 – has successfully concluded, leaving a strong impression in terms of scale, visitor numbers, the quality of business connections, and innovative activities. With more than 14,000 m² of exhibition space, 335 companies, 568 booths, participation from representatives of 17 countries and territories, and nearly 15,000 visitors, VIETFISH 2026 has once again affirmed its role as an important meeting point for Vietnam’s and the global seafood industry.

5 Seminars at Vietfish 2026: New Perspectives for the Seafood Industry

 |  09:48 21/08/2026

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Held as part of Vietfish 2026 from August 19–21 at SECC in Ho Chi Minh City, a series of five specialized seminars provided the seafood business community with updates on markets, technology, standards, human resources and cooperation opportunities. With the participation of experts, international organizations, government agencies and businesses from Vietnam and abroad, the seminars created an additional platform for professional exchange alongside the exhibition’s product showcases and business networking activities.

VIETFISH 2026 Officially Opens: record scale, deeper connections across the global seafood value chain

 |  12:11 19/08/2026

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On the morning of August 19, 2026, the Vietnam International Seafood Exhibition – VIETFISH 2026 officially opened at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City. With 568 booths representing 335 companies, alongside the presence of senior government officials, local authorities, diplomatic missions and international partners, VIETFISH 2026 kicks off three days of business networking, technology exchange and market engagement under the overarching theme “Innovation and Sustainability.”

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

Trụ sở: Số 7 đường Nguyễn Quý Cảnh, Phường An Phú, Quận 2, Tp.Hồ Chí Minh

Tel: (+84) 28.628.10430 - Fax: (+84) 28.628.10437 - Email: vasephcm@vasep.com.vn

VPĐD: số 10, Nguyễn Công Hoan, Ngọc Khánh, Ba Đình, Hà Nội

Tel: (+84 24) 3.7715055 - Fax: (+84 24) 37715084 - Email: vasephn@vasep.com.vn

© Copyright 2020 - Mọi hình thức sao chép phải được sự chấp thuận bằng văn bản của VASEP

DANH MỤC