Strengthening marine mammal protection for seafood exports

Recently, the People’s Committee of Nghe An Province issued Official Letter No. 10173/UBND-NN assigning the Department of Agriculture and Environment to take the lead, in coordination with coastal units and localities, in implementing marine mammal protection measures under the direction of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment. Reports on the results must be submitted to the Ministry before December 10, 2025, to be consolidated for the Prime Minister and to provide information to the United States.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, Vietnam was recently not granted equivalency recognition by the United States under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) for 12 groups of seafood products caught using certain fishing gear. As a result, starting from January 1, 2026, these 12 product groups will not be eligible for export to the U.S.

To improve the situation, the Ministry has requested localities to inform fishermen and enterprises urgently; step up communication and training on recording encounters with and rescuing marine mammals; strictly enforce monitoring at fishing ports; and update relevant data. This information will serve as a critical basis for requesting the U.S. to reconsider granting equivalency recognition, thereby helping maintain one of Vietnam’s largest seafood export markets.