The West and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) at its sixth conference accepted Vietnam as a cooperating non-member, according to the Department of Capture Fisheries and Resources Protection.

With such regulations, Vietnam will be able to export all of its maritime products processed from migrant fishes such as tuna and swordfish to any market without let and hindrance. Previously, Spain and the US rejected these Vietnamese products, explaining that Vietnam has not joined an international organisation in charge for regional fisheries management.

According to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Processors, the regulations for Vietnam will be re-considered and extended every year. As a non-member, Vietnam will be able only to exchange information, attend the WCPFC meetings, and ask the commission to provide fisheries-related information, but unable to send its vessels for fishing on international waters.

The Vietnamese delegation led by Dr. Chu Tien Vinh, Head of the Department for Capture Fisheries and Resources Protection, attended the sixth WCPFC conference held in Tahiti (Polynesia of France) from Dec. 7-11./.