Vietnamese seafood from 12 fisheries at risk of US import ban

The Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) confirmed that the Vietnam Trade Office in the US recently received notification from the US Embassy in Hanoi of NOAA’s final ruling. In it, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration refused to recognize 12 Vietnamese fisheries as equivalent, citing risks to marine mammals and insufficient monitoring of bycatch.

This means seafood from those fisheries could no longer be imported into the US starting January 1, 2026. Tuna exports, a mainstay of Vietnam’s seafood trade, face the greatest risk, as much of the tuna catch comes from the affected fisheries.

NOAA’s review did approve a number of fisheries, including squid purse seines and bottom trawls, anchovy and sardine purse seines, handline tuna, octopus traps, eel trawls, marine shrimp trawls, and some mackerel and amberjack fisheries. But the list of those denied equivalency is extensive, covering grouper, crab, cuttlefish, flounder, frigate tuna, lobster, mackerel, mullet, bigeye and skipjack tuna, swordfish, and billfish fisheries that use gillnets, longlines, or mid-water nets.

According to VASEP, the rejection is tied to the presence of endangered marine mammals in fishing grounds where high-risk gear is used, along with a lack of comprehensive reporting on incidental catch.

The economic consequences are expected to be significant. The US is one of Vietnam’s largest seafood markets, importing around $500 million annually from the sectors now deemed non-equivalent. Tuna alone accounted for nearly $1 billion in exports last year, of which $387 million went to the US. Other key exports such as squid, mackerel, scad, grouper, and snapper are also at risk.

A sudden loss of access would hit both fishermen and processing workers. Hundreds of thousands of livelihoods depend directly on these exports, while the wider seafood supply chain would face disruption. Vietnam’s seafood reputation abroad could also suffer, making it harder to compete with countries like Thailand and island nations whose fisheries have received full equivalency recognition.

The problem is compounded by heavy reliance on imported raw tuna for processing. Up to 80% of tuna exported to the US originates from imports from the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, South Korea, and Taiwan. Many of these suppliers are themselves facing non-equivalency rulings from NOAA, further squeezing Vietnam’s export capacity.

VASEP warned that without urgent action, Vietnam risks losing its foothold in the US seafood market, damaging not just immediate sales but also long-term competitiveness in sustainable fisheries.

On September 10, VASEP sent an official letter to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment and other ministries, urging swift government intervention. The association recommended that the Ministry report directly to the Prime Minister and seek authorization for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to hire experienced US consultants, retired NOAA officials or legal experts to help Vietnam address technical gaps and strengthen its advocacy efforts in Washington.

VASEP also proposed forming an interagency task force including the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Industry and Trade, and relevant industry groups to review fishery records and craft a coordinated national response. At the same time, Vietnam should update its regulatory framework on fishery management, with particular attention to bycatch monitoring and reporting of marine mammal interactions, in line with NOAA’s requirements.

Businesses are being asked to work closely with VASEP, maintain regular dialogue with US importers, and mobilize their support for Vietnam’s bid to resubmit applications after January 2026. Companies are also urged to prepare contingency plans to adjust production, sourcing, and market strategies should exports from the 12 fisheries remain blocked.

VASEP further suggested that ministries negotiate directly with NOAA for technical guidance, transitional measures, and training programs for observers. Such efforts could mitigate the impact on Vietnam’s key exports while laying the groundwork for future reassessments.

With just over a year before the ban takes effect, industry leaders stress that quick, coordinated action is essential. Without it, Vietnam’s seafood sector risks losing one of its most valuable markets, undermining years of effort to build credibility and competitiveness abroad.