--- title: "Tuna exports hit record high but face major regulatory barriers" type: "News" locale: "en" url: "https://longbridge.com/en/news/233481949.md" description: "Việt Nam's tuna exports reached a record high of nearly $73 million in February, a 41% increase year-on-year. However, the industry faces significant regulatory challenges from key markets like the US and EU, including strict regulations on illegal fishing and marine mammal protection. These regulations hinder the harvesting and export of tuna products, with potential bans on imports looming if compliance is not met. The Việt Nam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) calls for stronger support from authorities to navigate these challenges and maintain the industry's international standing." datetime: "2025-03-27T14:45:59.000Z" locales: - [zh-CN](https://longbridge.com/zh-CN/news/233481949.md) - [en](https://longbridge.com/en/news/233481949.md) - [zh-HK](https://longbridge.com/zh-HK/news/233481949.md) generator: "portal-rs" --- # Tuna exports hit record high but face major regulatory barriers Tuna being processed for export at Bình Định Fishery Joint Stock Company in the southern province of Bình Định. — VNA/VNS Photo Vũ Sinh HÀ NỘI — Despite having achieved a record export sales figure in February, Việt Nam's tuna industry faces significant regulatory challenges from its key import markets such as the EU and the US, according to the Việt Nam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP). Statistics from Vietnam Customs show that the value of tuna exports in February reached nearly US$73 million, which marks a 41 per cent increase on-year and the highest level for the same period over the past five years. The cumulative tuna export value for the first two months of the year has surpassed $139 million, a 6 per cent increase compared to the same period last year. Statistics from VASEP showed that fresh, frozen and dried tuna products continued to show strong growth in February, up 23 per cent on-year. In contrast, exports of processed and canned tuna decreased by 9 per cent. Large markets such as the US, EU, Canada and Japan showed the most impressive growth in Vietnamese tuna exports last month. However, the tuna industry is facing numerous challenges this year in terms of resource exploitation and trade regulations from some of its major export markets, according to VASEP. Regulations on preventing illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing continue to be a major barrier for seafood harvest, including tuna. The requirement for tuna to be at least 500 millimetres long before it can be harvested, regulated by Decree 37 issued by the Government last year, remains a challenge for fishermen and businesses, hindering them from obtaining raw tuna and exporting processed and canned tuna products. Similarly, the US’s implementation of the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) requires exporting countries to prove that their fishing processes do not harm marine mammals, and that their management regulations are similar to those of the US. Twelve of Việt Nam's fishing methods including the use of gillnets, purse seines, dragnets and handline fishing are not recognised as meeting this requirement, in a recent preliminary decision made by the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The organisation has issued a warning that it may ban the import of several types of Vietnamese seafood from January 1, 2026, unless Việt Nam takes timely action. Additionally, the US plans to expand its Seafood Import Monitoring Program (SIMP), which requires importers to provide more detailed information on their imports and increases compliance costs. “MMPA and SIMP regulations could have a substantial impact on Việt Nam's seafood industry, even threatening the country's reputation and standing in the international market,” VASEP stated. To overcome these challenges, the tuna industry needs strong support from authorities and industry managers in improving legal frameworks, enhancing monitoring capabilities and assisting fishermen in complying with international standards, it said. — BIZHUB/VNS ### Related Stocks - [603177.CN](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/603177.CN.md) ## Related News & Research - [ISF: Strong H1 results with high margins, robust equity, and positive outlook for product prices](https://longbridge.com/en/news/297293670.md) - [COSCO SHIPPING Holdings Co (CICOF) Gets a Hold from DBS](https://longbridge.com/en/news/297474233.md) - [Enormous 12TB Steam leak includes abandoned Half-Life 2: Episode 3 assets](https://longbridge.com/en/news/297434223.md) - [Seamec Limited Concludes ONGC Charter for Offshore Vessel SEAMEC II](https://longbridge.com/en/news/297433634.md) - [YANKUANG ENERGY Interim Net Profit Up 57.2% YoY to RMB7.875 billion; Interim DPS RMB2 per 10 Shares](https://longbridge.com/en/news/297427991.md) --- > **Disclaimer: This article is for reference only and does not constitute any investment advice.**