Complete steps to combat IUU fishing and accelerate seafood exports

Processing facilities are determined not to purchase raw materials from fishing vessels that violate IUU regulations

There are still fishing vessels violating

According to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), after the EC inspection in October 2022, Vietnam has made efforts to implement 4 groups of EC recommendations to combat IUU fishing and remove " yellow card” warnings including: legal framework; monitor, inspect, and control fishing vessel operations and fleet management; certification of output and traceability of seafood from exploitation; law enforcement.

Along with that, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development also organized many delegations to inspect the actual situation and guide localities in implementing measures to combat IUU fishing and overcome the EC's recommendations. Localities have actively directed and organized the implementation of solutions to overcome shortcomings and limit ations.

Relevant central ministries, branches and localities continue to focus on implementing tasks against IUU exploitation under the direction of the Standing Committee of the Secretariat, the Prime Minister and the Head of the National Steering Committee on IUU; especially preventing, handling fishing vessels violating illegal seafood exploitation in foreign waters and penalizingIUU fishing practices.

According to VASEP, to prepare working program with the EC Inspection Team, after the latest Conference to promote solutions to combat IUU fishing chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Tran LuuQuang, the Government Office issued an announcement clearly stating that after nearly 6 years of fighting IUU fishing, the results of implementing the task of fighting IUU fishing have had many positive changes recorded by the EC.

However, many shortcomings and limit ations that have not been completely and thoroughly resolved according to the EC's recommendations at the third inspection. For example: Law enforcement, Handling of IUU fishing violations is still very limit ed, not drastic and uniform among localities... The EC has affirmed that it will not consider removing the "yellow card" if illegal mining of Vietnamese vessels is ongoing in foreign waters and they are at risk of being given a "red card" warning.

This not only seriously impacts Vietnam's seafood export activities but also greatly affects the country's image, reputation, and diplomatic position in the international arena. Therefore, the Deputy Prime Minister requests relevant departments, ministries, branches and localities to place the highest responsibility at the present time, focusing on implementing and completing the tasks and solutions approved by the Prime Minister and Head of the National Steering Committee on IUU assigned in Decision No. 81/QD-TTg dated February 13, 2023, Official Telegram No. 265/CD-TTg dated April 17, 2023 of the Prime Minister and other related documents.

Put on trial as a deterrent

To completely handle the above situation, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development presides and coordinates with Ca Mau province to review designated fishing ports in the area, and propose solutions to resolve the lack of designated fishing ports.

Deputy Prime Minister Tran LuuQuang directed the Ministry of National Defense to continue to carry out peak patrols, inspections, and controls in bordering, overlapping, and undefined sea areas between Vietnam and other countries to promptly prevent, handle fishing vessels violating illegal seafood exploitation with the highest determination sweep awayviolations from now until October 2023.

The Ministry of Public Security focuses on consolidating records, prosecuting and adjudicating at least 1 case of organizations and individuals brokering and connecting fishing vessels and fishermen to illegally exploit waters, widely publicized on mass media to deter and educate.

Regarding strict control and supervision of fishing vessel activities at fishing ports, the Deputy Prime Minister requested the People's Committees of coastal provinces and centrally run cities to highly focus on implementing regulations against IUU fishing in Fleet management (complete registration, inspection, licensing, VMS installation); Strictly control and monitor activities of fishing vessels at fishing ports.

The work of confirming, certifying and tracing the origin of exploited aquatic products must be seriously deployed; Acts of legalizing documents for export shipments are strictly prohibited.

VASEP and seafood businesses resolutely refuse to purchase, process and export aquatic products originating from IUU fishing. Businesses and associations related to the seafood sector must coordinate with authorities to provide information, strictly handle violations and IUU fishing tolerance.