Particularly disappointing was the failure to find solutions to resolve the downward spiral of already overfished bigeye tuna despite scientists asking for the fishing to be cut substantially. More and more bigeye tuna are being caught with no adequate action to reverse the decline. Precautionary conservation measures to protect yellowfin stocks, facing increasing fishing, were also put off.
Positive actions taken by the WCPFC to protect oceanic whitetip shark and cetaceans were overshadowed by inaction on whale sharks entangled by purse seine nets.
WWF expressed dismay at the rapid growth in longline fleets in the Western and Central Pacific that target southern albacore tuna. Catches of albacore have risen from 53000 metric tonnes to 71000 metric tonnes over the last ten years, placing at risk other vulnerable marine species like seabirds.
WWF was heartened that a joint WWF and other conservation organisation submission in the closing minutes of the meeting that the commission take urgent action on the conservation of albacore had drawn the support of Japan and Pacific island countries and territories.
“Progress towards sustainable management of tuna stocks has been frustratingly stalled and in some cases gone backwards”, said Daniel Suddaby, Tuna Manager of WWF’s global Smart Fishing Initiative. “By not implementing good fisheries management, the WCPFC is showing a worrying lack of precaution for the future of one of the world’s most important tuna fisheries.”
WWF strongly urges WCPFC Member States to take action to support the implementation of the precautionary approach to fisheries management, more in particular to:
• Adopt harvest control rules and reference points in line with international best practice for tuna stocks; • Strengthen regulations on bycatch species impacted by tuna fishing;
• Reduce fishing capacity in line with long term sustainable yields
"Short-term interests combined with a lack of political will are amongst the drivers of unsustainable tuna management. Despite the ground-swell of consumers and retailers demanding sustainable tuna, WCPFC’s failure to implement a precautionary approach to tuna management risks damaging the natural resources that these fisheries depend upon. ” said Mr Suddaby.
“Incentives to limit fishing effort in Pacific tuna fisheries must be given serious attention. A working fisheries management system that makes sustainable fishing a viable long-term economic activity in the Pacific and offers a choice for global tuna consumers is critical.”
(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.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) During the week from April 4th to 10th, 2026, Quang Ngai province intensified its monitoring and law enforcement activities with the determination to eliminate illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing practices.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Thanh Hoa’s shrimp sector is undergoing a strong transformation by accelerating the adoption of high technology, helping to improve productivity, increase profits, and meet market demands. The province currently has about 4,100 hectares of shrimp farming, with output continuing to rise despite stable farming area, mainly due to the shift from traditional methods to intensive and super-intensive farming.
(vasep.com.vn) Amid ongoing volatility in global seafood trade, Vietnam’s crab exports have made a fairly positive start to 2026. According to Vietnam Customs statistics, export turnover in the first two months of 2026 reached nearly USD 55 million, up 24% compared to the same period in 2025 and more than 2.2 times higher than in the same period of 2024. This indicates that crab exports are entering 2026 with stronger growth momentum, particularly in Asian markets.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Da Nang City has fully implemented all recommendations from the European Commission (EC) regarding the fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, creating an important foundation for the removal of the “yellow card” in the near future.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In Hoa Vang district (Da Nang City), red tilapia farming is demonstrating clear economic efficiency, becoming a promising livelihood that helps many households increase their income. A notable example is the model of Mr. Huynh Ngoc Nam, who operates two red tilapia ponds covering more than 4 hectares, generating stable annual income.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In Gia Vien district, tilapia farming—particularly the “duong nghiep” strain—is expanding rapidly and gradually becoming an efficient production model for local farmers. Hatcheries in the area are supplying high-quality, uniform, and disease-free fingerlings, meeting the growing demand for commercial farming.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On the afternoon of March 19, Vice Chairman of the Ca Mau Provincial People’s Committee, Le Van Su, chaired a meeting to address bottlenecks and propose solutions to expand the super-intensive whiteleg shrimp farming model using low water exchange and high biosecurity standards (RAS-IMTA).
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On March 10, 2026, the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee issued Decision No. 1377/QD-UBND approving the Aquatic Animal Disease Prevention and Control Plan for the 2026–2030 period. The decision takes effect from the date of signing and replaces previous plans for the 2021–2030 period that had been issued prior to the administrative merger in Ba Ria – Vung Tau, Binh Duong, and Ho Chi Minh City.
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