Not only businesses but also fishermen in the Central provinces are calling for help because of regulations on minimum size when catching skipjack tuna, according to Decree 37/2024/ND-CP.

Currently, it is the peak "season" of 3 months (July, August, September) for skipjack tuna exploitation by Vietnamese fishermen, but enterprises have to stop purchasing domestically exploited skipjack tuna from fishermen because they cannot guarantee 100% of the size of half a meter or more. And most fishing ports have also stopped certifying raw materials (S/C papers) for skipjack tuna shipments because the size of the exploited fish is smaller than the regulations of Decree 37.

Skipjack tuna accounts for 85% of the tuna exploitation output of Vietnamese fishermen, and is also the main source of raw materials for the production of processed and canned products in Vietnam to make the most of tariff incentives in Free Trade Agreements between Vietnam and other countries, especially the Free Trade Agreement between Vietnam and the European Union (EVFTA).

This regulation is deeply affecting fishermen in the Central region. Meanwhile, businesses are at risk of losing large markets such as the EU because they cannot stock up on skipjack tuna to prepare for the year-end production season to supply the European market in early 2025.

It is worth mentioning here that tuna is a migratory species. While Vietnamese fishing vessels are not allowed to exploit skipjack tuna according to the above minimum size regulations, fishing vessels from neighboring countries are still allowed to exploit normally.

Currently, the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) and other regional fisheries management organizations do not regulate the permitted or prohibited sizes for skipjack tuna, but they only manage according to the fishing quota.

The EU itself does not have regulations on the minimum fishing size for skipjack tuna; fishing vessels from Spain and other EU countries still catch skipjack tuna under 1 kg. The EU protects marine resources by measures such as "quotas, sea bans, fishing occupations, etc.", not purely by minimum size.

According to fishermen in the Central region, to comply with the regulation on minimum size when catching skipjack tuna, they will have to invest a large amount of money to change to new fishing gear with new, suitable mesh sizes, to keep a logbook, and control the size of the species that fishermen catch. However, even if the mesh size is changed, it will be very difficult to screen the fish.

In fact, many fishing vessels entering the port are not granted unloading records at the port due to violations of the size of the exploited seafood. Therefore, there is a risk that a part of fishermen in the Central region will stop going to sea, greatly affecting the lives of coastal people.

Moreover, this is causing a large shortage of raw materials for production, business and export of enterprises. According to statistics from Vietnam Customs, the export growth rate is slowing down. In August 2024 alone, the export value only reached nearly 90 million USD, an increase of 3% over the same period. In particular, the export value of canned tuna products has continuously decreased. Exports to the EU have decreased this month, down 15% over the same period.

Currently, enterprises are having to use up the remaining raw materials in stock and imported raw materials. Switching to using imported raw materials will make products less competitive due to high taxes.

Due to the importance and great significance of the issue related to the normal production and business livelihood of fishermen and enterprises, VASEP recommends that the Prime Minister direct the amendment and supplementation of Decree 37 in some contents as soon as possible and most appropriately. In particular, VASEP recommends that the Prime Minister consider and issue a document directing the adjustment and resolution of the above issue while waiting for the amendment of the Decree because the peak season of skipjack tuna is only until the end of September.

Source: VASEP