This meeting represents not merely a technical exchange or a discussion on export figures, but rather a strong affirmation of Vietnam’s determination to pursue sustainable development and responsible international integration within the global seafood supply chain. It reflects a shared commitment between state management agencies and industry stakeholders to transform challenges into opportunities and to reposition Vietnamese tuna products more firmly in high-value international markets.
Vietnam’s Tuna industry in 2025: efforts recognized, yet challenges persist
In 2025, Vietnam’s tuna industry made noteworthy efforts to adapt to market changes and regulatory pressures. Nevertheless, the year concluded with lingering concerns, as total tuna export turnover reached only approximately USD 890 million, representing a decline of more than 5 percent compared to the previous year and falling short of the projected target of USD 1 billion.
The primary causes of this underperformance were identified as increasingly stringent technical and sustainability-related requirements imposed by major import markets, particularly the United States and the European Union. In practice, Vietnam now faces intensified competition from regional rivals such as Indonesia and the Philippines, both of which have successfully obtained Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification for key tuna fisheries. As a result, Vietnam risks a gradual erosion of market share in premium segments where sustainability certification has become a de facto prerequisite for market access.
In this context, achieving MSC certification for the skipjack tuna purse seine fishery is no longer a long-term aspiration but an urgent and strategic necessity. Without such certification, Vietnam’s tuna products may struggle to penetrate deeper into global value chains or maintain their presence in high-end retail and foodservice markets.
MSC fishery improvement project: A structured roadmap toward sustainability
The MSC Improvement Project (MSC IP), implemented under the broader MSC program framework, is being carried out by VINATUNA with a clearly defined roadmap spanning the period from 2026 to 2030, with the objective of undergoing a comprehensive full MSC assessment in 2031.
The scope of the project covers skipjack tuna harvested by purse seine vessels with an overall length of 15 meters or more, operating across ten coastal provinces and cities from Quang Tri in central Vietnam to Dong Thap in the Mekong Delta region. This wide geographic and operational coverage underscores both the ambition and the complexity of the initiative.
Preliminary assessments conducted by independent evaluators indicate that Vietnam’s tuna fishery still exhibits a number of so-called “red flags” that must be addressed in order to meet MSC requirements. These challenges are particularly pronounced under the principles related to minimizing environmental impacts and ensuring ecosystem-based fisheries management.
Key shortcomings identified include a lack of independent and verifiable data, largely due to the limited coverage of onboard observer programs, which currently remains well below the internationally recommended threshold of 5 percent. In addition, there is insufficient quantitative evidence demonstrating effective mitigation of interactions with endangered, threatened, and protected species, including sea turtles, marine mammals, and various shark species.
Furthermore, Vietnam’s existing legal and regulatory framework has yet to fully incorporate specific provisions prohibiting the practice of shark finning at sea, commonly referred to as “fins naturally attached” (FNA). This prohibition is a mandatory criterion under MSC standards and represents a critical gap that must be addressed through regulatory reform and enforcement.
Strengthening cooperation between state authorities and industry associations
A central theme of the working session was the spirit of close cooperation between state management agencies and industry representatives. Leaders of the Department of Fisheries and Surveillance affirmed their commitment to accompanying and supporting VINATUNA throughout the implementation of the project, particularly through the refinement and completion of the legal and regulatory framework governing fisheries activities.
This support includes the integration of international standards and best practices into sectoral circulars, decrees, and other normative legal documents, thereby ensuring greater alignment between domestic regulations and global sustainability requirements.
Notably, the MSC IP is characterized by a distinctive implementation model in which the majority of financial and human resources are mobilized from private-sector enterprises. This approach highlights the sense of responsibility, ownership, and self-reliance demonstrated by the tuna industry itself in driving sustainability improvements. In this framework, state authorities play a facilitative role, providing technical support, policy alignment, and data sharing rather than direct project financing.
Leveraging technology and data to meet international standards
The Department of Fisheries and Surveillance will support the project by sharing relevant data from the national vessel monitoring system, thereby strengthening the evidence base required for MSC certification. Such data will play a critical role in demonstrating compliance with management measures, fishing effort controls, and spatial regulations.
In parallel, technological solutions such as electronic monitoring systems using onboard cameras are expected to be piloted as either alternatives or supplements to human observers. These technologies are intended to enhance data accuracy, transparency, and coverage while optimizing costs and logistical feasibility, particularly in the context of large and dispersed fishing fleets.
Beyond certification: A fundamental shift in mindset and governance
Pursuing MSC certification is not merely about addressing the shortcomings identified in assessment reports. Rather, it represents a fundamental transformation in both fishing practices and governance approaches at the local and national levels.
As data transparency improves, bycatch and associated species are more effectively protected, and fishing operations increasingly comply with international legal and environmental standards, the Vietnamese tuna brand will be better positioned to assert its credibility and reputation on the global stage.
In the long term, this process is expected to contribute not only to enhanced market access and export value, but also to the sustainable management of tuna resources, the protection of marine ecosystems, and the stabilization of livelihoods for fishing communities across Vietnam’s coastal regions.
Huong Tra (Hai Dang translated)