Europe is a large and valuable market. However, in October 2017, Vietnamese seafood was subjected to restrictions by the European Commission (EC) on accessing this market due to violations of illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing practices. To date, we have not yet had this "yellow card" lifted.
As a key maritime exploitation area, Thanh Hoa's fisheries sector is significantly impacted by the trade safeguard measures applied by the EC. Although comprehensive efforts have been made to address these issues within the province, some problems remain, urging faster action.
According to the inspection results of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) in February 2024, the fight against IUU (Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated) fishing in Thanh Hoa province has been slow, and some shortcomings and limitations have not been thoroughly addressed. Notably, the number of fishing vessels losing connection with their vessel tracking devices remains high and occurs frequently. Monitoring of seafood unloaded at ports is also weak. Law enforcement, verification, and handling of IUU fishing violations are still limited... In a press interview, Deputy Head of the Thanh Hoa Fisheries Department, Le Van Sang, stated that the installation of vessel tracking devices in Thanh Hoa has been successful, but maintaining their operation and strictly enforcing their use is the key issue. Many vessels still lose signal, partly due to fishermen intentionally disrupting the signal.
Efforts to combat IUU fishing not only help Vietnamese seafood easily access the world's largest market, but more importantly, it enhances national prestige.
To lift the EC's "yellow card," in addition to the efforts of all levels of government and relevant agencies, it requires the voluntary compliance of those directly involved in fishing at sea. Only when these issues are effectively addressed in all coastal localities, including Thanh Hoa province, will Vietnam's fisheries have any hope.
Several Asian countries have also been subjected to similar measures by the EC, but they managed to have the "yellow card" lifted within a few years. This serves as an example for Vietnamese fishermen to emulate and for relevant authorities to be more determined.
The EC inspection team is expected to conduct its fifth inspection in April 2024 to review the lifting of the "yellow card" warning against Vietnamese seafood, with Thanh Hoa being one of the key locations. This presents an opportunity, but also a challenge, requiring greater determination to thoroughly resolve the obstacles. According to press reports, the EC will have to focus on several important political issues in the coming period, and many matters will have to be postponed, including the assessment of IUU (Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated) fishing. If we fail to convince the EC inspection team during this next inspection, Vietnamese seafood may have to wait even longer before the "yellow card" is lifted.
In Official Dispatch No. 04/CĐ-UBND dated March 8, 2024, the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee requested the directors of relevant departments, agencies, and localities in the province to implement comprehensive and effective solutions to combat IUU (Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated) fishing. This includes assigning responsibility to the heads of Party committees and governments at all levels, especially at the commune level, in controlling fishing vessels. They are to assign officials to each household and fishing vessel owner to disseminate information, educate, deter, prevent, and promptly handle cases showing signs of sending vessels and fishermen to illegally exploit marine resources in foreign waters. Organizations and individuals who fail to fulfill their assigned duties and responsibilities, violate the law, and negatively impact the country's efforts to lift the "yellow card" are to be resolutely dealt with. The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development will take the lead, in coordination with relevant agencies and the People's Committees of coastal districts, towns, and cities, to clarify the responsibilities of organizations and individuals involved in the shortcomings and limitations as identified, and complete the rectification by March 2024.
It must be recognized that this is the final "mandate" for relevant sectors and localities in Thanh Hoa province, along with the rest of the country, to remove bottlenecks in the fisheries sector. There can be no further delay, leading to a more serious and decisive response.
Thai Minh
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