Government shutdown has meant the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will not carry out compulsory seafood inspections for the time being, causing concern to customers over the fact that the seafood they eat has not been technically approved for consumption.

(vasep.com.vn) High global demand for seafood and unsustainable fishing methods are dwindling aquatic resources. Destructive fishing methods, which are still rampant in some parts of the Asia Pacific, are rapidly destroying coral reef ecosystems.

(vasep.com.vn) Fish farmers will be compulsory to adopt the Vietnamese Good Agriculture Practice (VietGAP) standards in their farming process. VietGAP is also a base to link producers, consumers and retailers, Mr. Pham Anh Tuan – Deputy General Director of the Directorate of Fisheries (D-Fish) revealed in the workshop “Seeking co-operation in strengthening application of VietGap” recently held in Ho Chi Minh city.

Europe should not be thought of as one market, but a diversity of many markets with many different consumption habits, said Marie Christine Monfort, senior consultant at Marketing Seafood andSea-Matters.

(vasep.com.vn) In October 2013, Vietnam plans to export US$689 million worth of seafood products, bringing its total seafood export turnover over the first 10 months to US$5.37 billion, up 6 percent year-on-year, according to Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

The creation of a global partnership to help ensure that the world’s fish supplies can keep pace with booming demand has received a green light from the UN Food and Agriculture Organization’s (FAO) sub-committee on aquaculture.

The fishing industry exporting to the Customs Union -- Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan -- is suffering a significant drop in their income, since for more than six months they have not been able to send their fishery products to the Russian market.

Seafood exports from Pakistan are recording a boost due to several factors that play in their favour: increasing demand from China and Vietnam as well as the expiration of the six-year-old import ban on Pakistani seafood by the European Union (EU).

Nearly 200 domestic businesses are showcasing their products at the 2013 Mekong Seafood Trade Fair in Ca Mau city as part of the national trade promotion programme.

(vasep.com.vn) In the third quarter of 2013, Vietnam seafood exports increased by 17.4 percent to US$1.9 billion. Shrimp products got strong rise in sales, especially whiteleg shrimp, as supplies from other producing countries in the world stumbled due to EMS. Other seafood items on the slowdown or decline trend.

Vietnam and Bulgaria are expected to sign a joint statement during President Rosen Plevneliev’s October 27-31 visit, demonstrating the two countries’ desire to develop a strategic partnership in the future.

(vasep.com.vn) “Mekong Delta towards the Green Economy” was the theme of the forum held by the Southwestern Region Steering Committee (SRSC) and Can Tho and Vinh Long provincial People's Committee on Nov 3rd 2013.

Vietnamese Minister of Agricultural and Rural Development Cao Duc Phat and his Israeli counterpart Yair Shamir have committed to expanding bilateral agricultural and rural industry cooperation.

(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s exports of rice and seafood to South Africa make up a small proportion, Ambassador of South Africa to Vietnam Adriaan du Pisanie said at the conference on “Trade Cooperation between Vietnam and South Africa” held by Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI).

Vietnam and Indonesia recently signed