On the afternoon of August 28, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh chaired a conference on combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
Reports and opinions at the conference unanimously assessed that, nearly a year after the 4th inspection by the European Commission (EC) in October 2023 and 7 years of implementing tasks and solutions to combat IUU fishing and lift the EC's "Yellow Card" warning, Vietnam has achieved many results recognized by the EC; many issues pointed out and requested by the EC have been addressed. However, many shortcomings and limitations remain, and work is slow to be completed, related to fleet management, law enforcement, connection of vessel tracking systems (VMS), and the situation of illegal fishing violations.
In his concluding remarks, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh emphasized that the heads of sectors, agencies, and localities must be held accountable if they fail to strictly implement the Party's guidelines and policies, and the State's laws on combating IUU fishing; if they lack decisiveness in leadership, direction, and management; if they do not pay adequate attention, or if they lack inspection, auditing, and supervision. The Prime Minister clearly stated the goal of lifting the "Yellow Card" warning at the 5th inspection by the EC inspection team, scheduled for October 2024, and affirmed that the goal of combating IUU fishing and lifting the Yellow Card has a full political , legal, and practical basis.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh requested relevant ministries, localities, functional forces, Party committees, and authorities at all levels, especially at the grassroots level, to focus on leading, directing, and acting decisively to implement the task of combating IUU fishing, and to promptly complete the rectification of existing shortcomings and limitations. He also called for strict monitoring and management of fishing fleets to prevent IUU violations and to decisively address fishing vessels lacking three essential elements (no registration, no inspection, and no license); to review, classify, and strictly handle collectives and individuals who violate Party regulations and State laws, handling administrative violations administratively and criminal violations criminally; and to strengthen inspection, supervision, traceability, and immediate handling of violations.
The Prime Minister has instructed the Ministry of Public Security and the Ministry of National Defense to take the lead and coordinate with local authorities to investigate, prosecute, and severely punish 100% of cases related to sending fishing vessels and fishermen to illegally exploit resources in foreign waters; disconnecting, sending, and transporting VMS equipment; brokering, colluding, and other serious violations.
The Prime Minister requested thorough preparation of plans to ensure the best possible outcome, avoiding any passive or unexpected situations that could affect the country's efforts to lift the "Yellow Card" warning. Provinces that continue to allow their fishing vessels to violate regulations by engaging in illegal fishing in foreign waters must conduct serious reviews, clearly identifying the responsibilities of the heads of relevant agencies and functional forces; the results must be completed and reported to the Prime Minister by September.
PHAN THAO
Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/chong-khai-thac-iuu-kiem-diem-trach-nhiem-nguoi-dung-dau-neu-de-tau-ca-vi-pham-post756169.html
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