Towards transparent and sustainable fisheries development
Since 2014, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) has been implementing the Yellowfin Tuna Fishery Improvement Programme in Vietnam (FIP), in collaboration with businesses and local authorities to address overfishing and ensure the sustainability of yellowfin tuna. The project assesses fish stocks, bycatch, and ecosystem threats; promotes better compliance with regulations and law enforcement; and implements a co-management model with local fishing communities.
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| A yellowfin tuna is brought ashore by fishermen. (Photo: WWF-Vietnam) |
Thanks to the project, many tuna processing and exporting factories have upgraded their traceability systems, made the supply chain transparent, and expanded their access to demanding markets. According to statistics from the Vietnam Tuna Association, by September 2025, 29 enterprises/processing factories participated in the FIP project and applied the FIP Code traceability code.
On October 2, 2025, the purse seine tuna fishery in Vietnam was recognized by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) as eligible to participate in the MSC Improvement Program (MSC - IP). This is an important step towards MSC international ecolabel certification - a globally prestigious standard for sustainable fisheries. The Vietnam Tuna Association will implement an action plan for the period 2025-2030, coordinating with businesses and localities to complete management, environmental and traceability criteria, aiming to achieve certification by 2031.
International cooperation is also extended to aquaculture and seafood processing. On October 13, 2025, the Vietnam Fisheries Association (VINAFIS) signed a cooperation agreement with the US Soybean Export Council (USSEC). According to the agreement, the two sides agreed to strengthen technical cooperation, professional training, technology transfer and international experience sharing in the field of aquaculture and seafood processing. The agreement also aims to support Vietnamese businesses and seafood farmers in applying international sustainability standards and certifications, including the US Soy Sustainability Assurance Protocol (SSAP), one of the globally recognized models.
Determination to combat IUU fishing and international integration
Vietnam's consistent viewpoint is its determination to cooperate internationally in combating IUU fishing, moving towards harmonizing international regulations and sustainably developing the fisheries sector. Vietnam has signed a Government- level Joint Declaration on Voluntary International Cooperation to Combat IUU Fishing with Indonesia; and deployed hotlines with Brunei Darussalam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia, etc.
In addition, Vietnam signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on combating IUU fishing with Australia and the US; maintained annual meetings with the Philippines; established a tripartite information exchange mechanism (the Department of Fisheries under the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security of Malaysia, the Department of Fisheries and Fisheries Surveillance under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment of Vietnam, and the Vietnamese Embassy in Malaysia) to promptly share information in fisheries management and handle violating fishing vessels.
Vietnam also cooperates with international organizations such as the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) to deploy solutions to implement regulations on national port measures, electronic traceability, and maritime transshipment.
Speaking at the regular press conference of the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs on November 6, Spokesperson of the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pham Thu Hang affirmed: As an active, proactive and responsible member of the international community, Vietnam is always ready to join countries in the region and the international community to strengthen cooperation and share experiences in combating IUU fishing, promoting effective and sustainable fisheries management in accordance with international law.
According to experts, international cooperation not only provides technical and financial support but also helps Vietnam participate more deeply in the global value chain, build a transparent, responsible and sustainable seafood industry, and spread the message of protecting the blue ocean.
Source: https://thoidai.com.vn/hop-tac-quoc-te-phat-trien-nghe-ca-viet-nam-minh-bach-ben-vung-217521.html
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