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.
(vasep.com.vn) As part of the Vietnam Fisheries International Exhibition (Vietfish 2026), the seminar "Global Seafood Market and the Future Workforce: Trends, Opportunities, and Sustainable Development Pathways for Vietnam's Seafood Industry" will take place from 2:00 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. on August 19, 2026, at Convention Room B, Level 2, SECC, Ho Chi Minh City. This is the first of five specialized seminars at Vietfish 2026, focusing on key issues that are shaping the long-term development of Vietnam's seafood industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnamese seafood exports recorded impressive growth, generating nearly 6 billion USD in revenue during the first six months of the year, up 13% compared with the same period last year.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Fishermen in Ha Tinh are gradually overcoming difficulties to maintain the efficiency of seafood exploitation. In the first six months of 2026, the entire province achieved a production of more than 23,000 tons of seafood, worth more than 1,200 billion VND.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) June 2026 brought encouraging signs for Vietnam's tuna exports, with export value rising 20% year-on-year to nearly USD 72 million. However, this increase has yet to offset the prolonged slowdown seen in key markets such as the European Union (EU), where import demand remains weak. The outlook for the second half of the year is expected to become more challenging as freight rates continue to climb.
(vasep.com.vn) As part of the Vietnam Fisheries International Exhibition (Vietfish 2026), the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), in collaboration with the Agency for Domestic Market Management and Development under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, will organize the Domestic Seafood Supply–Demand Matching Program on the morning of August 20, 2026, at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC), Ho Chi Minh City. The program aims to foster direct business connections between Vietnamese seafood producers and processors and domestic distributors, retailers, and foodservice channels.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The Cooking Show will be one of the most engaging experiential highlights of Vietfish 2026. Taking place over three days, from August 19–21, 2026, at Hall B1, SECC, Ho Chi Minh City, the event will offer visitors a vibrant culinary space where Vietnamese seafood is showcased through its flavors, stories, and real-life culinary applications.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam's pangasius exports reached USD 205 million in June 2026, up 5% compared with the same month in 2025. Cumulative export value for the first six months of the year totaled USD 1.1 billion, an increase of 12% year-on-year. Growth was primarily driven by strong demand from China and CPTPP markets, while exports to the United States and Brazil continued to decline.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first six months of 2026, Ha Tinh province continued to implement comprehensive solutions to combat IUU fishing; strictly manage the fishing fleet, control fishing vessels entering and leaving ports, operate vessel tracking devices, trace the origin of seafood, and severely punish violations.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam's tilapia exports reached USD 7 million in June 2026, down 32% compared with the same month in 2025. Nevertheless, thanks to strong growth in the first five months of the year, cumulative tilapia exports in the first half of 2026 totaled USD 69 million, up 67% year on year.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Sa Giang Import-Export Joint Stock Company, a member of the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), has been honored with the "Famous Brand - Competitive Vietnamese Brand 2026" certification at an award ceremony organized by the Vietnam Intellectual Property Association (VIPA).
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