Vietnam steps up efforts to end IUU fishing
VOV.VN - Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang has signed a decision issuing an action plan on fighting illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing and is preparing to hold working sessions with the fourth inspection delegation of the European Commission (EC).
The aim of this is to enforce legal provisions on fisheries in a concerted and effective manner, thereby addressing all shortcomings and limitations as recommended by the EC in order to have its “ yellow card” warning removed this year.
It is also designed to unify awareness, actions, and engagement of the whole political system in terms of IUU fishing prevention and control. Heads of Party committees, Party organisations, and authorities at all levels are therefore requested to directly lead, instruct, and take responsibility for this work, considering it to be an urgent and prioritised political task.
The plan of action also underlines the importance of the management of exploitation and sustainable development relating to the fisheries sector for the benefit of both the people and the country, thereby serving to increase the country’s international position, image, and responsibility. This particularly impacts how the nation’s implementation of international commitments and treaties in the protection of the marine environment and sustainable marine ecosystems is viewed, thereby contributing to ensuring national defence and security, as well as sovereignty.
As a means of achieving these targets, the plan requires relevant ministries, sectors, and localities to review and make lists of all fishing vessels, as well as completing the registration and marking of vessels, license issuance, and installation of vessel monitoring system (VMS) according to regulations.
Furthermore, all ships will be inspected at border posts and stations when entering or leaving ports to ensure the VMS operates around the clock at sea, with this being monitored via VMS while operating at sea. The process of verifying and certificating the origin of seafood must be duly carried out in accordance with the guidance of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.
Until May, the plan aims to end illegally fishing in foreign waters, investigate and handle all cases of Vietnamese fishing vessels being arrested by other countries, handle and sanction all IUU fishing-related cases, and publicise them via mass media.
The country will continue to push forward negotiations on delimitation of overlapping and undefined sea area between Vietnam and countries such as China, Malaysia, and other relevant neighbouring nations.
It will also intensify international co-operation activities on fisheries, IUU fishing prevention and control, and fishing co-operation with other countries, and regional and international fisheries organisations.