Government Action Plan to Combat Illegal Fishing

The issuance of this Program aims to concretize the goals, tasks, and solutions for effectively implementing Directive No. 32-CT/TW dated April 10, 2024, of the Party Central Committee on strengthening the Party's leadership over the fight against illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing and the sustainable development of the fisheries sector (Directive No. 32-CT/TW). It also aims to urgently address the limitations and weaknesses in the management and development of the fisheries sector and the fight against IUU fishing in the past, ensuring the effective implementation of the Party's resolutions and policies on the Strategy for Sustainable Development of Vietnam's Marine Economy to 2030, with a vision to 2045; and national plans, strategies, and programs related to the sustainable development and international integration of the fisheries sector.

cac_ngu_dan_danh_vay_huyen_quynh_luu_danh_ca_tren_vinh_bac_bo4325555_1912019.JPG — Fishermen from Quynh Luu district fishing in the Gulf of Tonkin. Photo: Nguyen Khoa

To create a strong shift in awareness regarding the role and importance of combating IUU fishing, and thereby change the actions of all levels and sectors in combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing; to enhance state management capacity and international cooperation in combating IUU fishing; and to urgently address existing shortcomings and limitations in combating IUU fishing...

Ensure that no illegal seafood products are exported abroad.

The program outlines tasks and solutions to be implemented by May 2024, including: improving the effectiveness of information and communication, propaganda, training, and mobilization efforts to raise awareness and a sense of responsibility regarding the fight against IUU fishing; perfecting relevant legal regulations on combating IUU fishing; implementing comprehensively and decisively the law on fisheries in managing the fishing fleet, controlling fishing vessel operations at sea and in ports, ensuring full compliance with legal regulations during entry and exit; strictly enforcing Vietnamese and international laws on verification, certification, and traceability of harvested seafood, ensuring no illegal seafood products are exported abroad; thoroughly investigating, verifying, and handling all IUU fishing activities without exception; and resolutely preventing and ending the situation of fishing vessels and fishermen engaging in illegal fishing in foreign waters.

The long-term task and solution is to urgently review and improve policies and laws in the fisheries sector, focusing on policies for aquaculture, exploitation, protection and development of aquatic resources, preservation and processing for export; to have policies supporting the modernization of the fishing industry, improving livelihoods, vocational training, creating conditions for fishermen to go out to sea, improve their lives, and guide the management of fisheries labor in accordance with domestic and international labor laws.

Implement strong solutions for job retraining and sustainable industry development.

Review, research, and advise on the authority to impose administrative penalties in the fisheries sector for the heads of sub-departments under the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development that have the function of state management of fisheries or perform functions and tasks related to fisheries inspection as prescribed by law during the process of drafting, amending, and supplementing the Decree detailing some articles and measures for implementing the Law on Handling Administrative Violations to ensure that relevant functional agencies have sufficient authority to enforce fisheries laws and combat IUU fishing.

Invest state resources, encourage socialization and public-private partnerships to develop technical infrastructure and fisheries infrastructure; strengthen and improve the capacity and sense of responsibility of the Fisheries Inspection force and other functional agencies managing fisheries activities, ensuring tools and means for law enforcement forces at sea to carry out the work of combating IUU fishing. Strongly implement solutions for occupational transformation, develop sustainable industries, promote aquaculture at sea, reduce dependence on fishing for fishermen; ensure the number of fishing vessels and fishing capacity are appropriate to the reserves of fisheries resources in the sea areas.

Creating a favorable environment for the long-term development of the fisheries industry.

Promoting industrialization and modernization, applying advanced science and technology, innovation, and digital transformation in aquaculture and fisheries, establishing sustainable production chains and comprehensive ecosystems, creating a favorable environment for the long-term development of the fisheries sector towards a circular economy, green economy, reduced emissions, high reputation and competitiveness, deep participation in global supply chains, adaptation to climate change, and environmental friendliness. At the same time, focusing on conservation, protection, and development of aquatic resources; developing the fisheries sector must be linked to ensuring social security, sustainable livelihoods, improving the material and spiritual lives of fishermen and related workers; building a national defense and security posture at sea, contributing to the firm protection of the sovereignty of the country's seas and islands.

Strengthen international cooperation on fisheries, send fishing vessels and fishermen to legally exploit waters outside Vietnam; negotiate and delimit exclusive economic zones and continental shelves between Vietnam and other countries, resolve disputes at sea; conduct search and rescue, ensure security and safety for fishermen at sea; fully implement Vietnam's international responsibilities and obligations in implementing international commitments and treaties on protecting the ocean, environment, marine ecosystems and aquatic resources.

Implement national plans, strategies, and programs related to sustainable development and international integration of the fisheries sector; ensure the effective implementation of the Party's resolutions and policies on the Strategy for Sustainable Development of Vietnam's Marine Economy to 2030, with a vision to 2045.

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