Question: “Our enterprise is implementing a raft and cage aquaculture project in a marine area bordering multiple provinces and preparing to expand the scale. I am informed that the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has just issued Decision 1763/QĐ-BNNMT amending administrative procedures in this sector. May the expert provide clear consultation on the new points regarding licensing authority, risks of failure to correctly update the procedures, and how we shall prepare the dossier to ensure product traceability in the future?”
Answer: Below is the detailed consultation on the new regulations concerning procedures for certification of aquaculture in accordance with Decision 1763/QĐ-BNNMT (effective from 15/05/2026):
1/ Main contents: Decision 1763/QĐ-BNNMT establishes the amendment, supplement, and re-promulgation of administrative procedures in the sector of fisheries and fisheries surveillance, applicable to raft and cage aquaculture activities and key cultured species within the scope of management of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. Specifically:- Re-promulgation of crucial procedures: Amending, supplementing, and re-promulgating the procedure for “Issuance and re-issuance of the Certificate of registration of raft and cage aquaculture and key cultured aquatic species”.
– Redefining the scope of application: The new regulation shall apply to aquaculture activities in inland areas within the scope of management of 02 or more provinces/cities, and raft and cage facilities under the authority to assign marine areas of the Minister of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.
– Accelerating decentralization: The procedure shall be decentralized in the spirit of Resolution 17/2026/NQ-CP on simplification of administrative procedures.
– Replacement of old regulations: This Decision shall replace the relevant contents previously issued in Decision 339/QĐ-BNNMT dated Jan 28 2026.
2/ Greatest impacts: This regulation directly impacts raft and cage aquaculture enterprises, marine projects, fisheries cooperatives, and investors within the fisheries supply chain. For inter-provincial projects, projects operating within the scope of multiple provinces or marine areas under the authority of the Ministry shall review the dossier submission process at the new receiving organ in accordance with the decentralization.
3/ Risks in case of failure to comply:
– Operating risks: Without the certificate in accordance with the correct new procedures, enterprises are at risk of being requested to suspend operations or being ineligible for product traceability certification upon export or introduction into supermarket chains.
– Seasonal delays: Submitting dossiers to the incorrect authority (especially inter-provincial dossiers) shall lead to the prolongation of processing time, missing the aquaculture season and affecting the signed supply contracts.
4/ Proposed action plan:
– Identification of authority: Accurately review the farming location and marine area to determine whether the dossier falls under the authority of the Ministry or has been decentralized to the local authority before submission.
– Standardization of dossiers: Update the legal dossier of the farming area, especially the requirements regarding environmental licenses and data extraction processes to serve traceability.
5/ Notes and recommendations:
– Effect for implementation: The Decision took effect from May 15 2026, therefore, newly submitted or re-issuance requesting dossiers from this point in time shall comply with the new list of procedures.
– Receiving focal point: Enterprises shall actively re-check the dossier receiving unit at the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to avoid sending to the wrong address under the old regulations.
