Government Action Plan to Combat Illegal Fishing

The issuance of the Program aims to specify the goals, tasks and solutions to effectively implement Directive No. 32-CT/TW dated April 10, 2024 of the Secretariat on strengthening the Party's leadership in combating illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing and sustainable development of the fisheries sector (Directive No. 32-CT/TW) to urgently overcome the limitations and weaknesses in the management and development of the fisheries sector and combating IUU fishing in the past time, 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; national plans, strategies and programs related to 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 of Quynh Luu district fishing in the Gulf of Tonkin. Photo: Nguyen Khoa

Create a strong change in awareness of the role and importance of combating IUU fishing and thereby change the actions of all levels and sectors in combating illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing; improve state management capacity and international cooperation activities in combating IUU fishing, promptly overcome shortcomings and limitations in combating IUU fishing...

Ensure no illegal seafood products are exported abroad

The program sets out tasks and solutions until May 2024, including: improving the effectiveness of information, communication, propaganda, training, mobilization, raising awareness and sense of responsibility for combating IUU fishing; perfecting legal regulations related to combating IUU fishing; synchronously and drastically implementing laws on fisheries in fleet management, controlling fishing vessel activities at sea, at ports, and import and export must fully comply with legal regulations; strictly implementing Vietnamese and international laws on confirmation, certification and traceability of exploited aquatic products, ensuring that there are no illegal aquatic products exported abroad; investigating, verifying and thoroughly handling IUU fishing acts, without exception; resolutely preventing and ending the situation of fishing vessels and fishermen illegally exploiting in foreign waters.

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

Strongly implement career conversion solutions and develop sustainable careers

Review, research, and advise on the authority to sanction administrative violations in the field of fisheries for the Heads of Sub-Departments under the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development with the function of state management of fisheries or performing functions and tasks of fisheries control according to the provisions of law in the process of building, amending, and supplementing the Decree detailing a number of articles and measures to implement the Law on handling administrative violations to ensure that relevant authorities have sufficient authority to enforce the law on fisheries and combat IUU fishing.

Invest in state resources, encourage socialization, public-private partnership to develop technical facilities and fisheries infrastructure; improve and enhance the capacity and sense of responsibility of the Fisheries Surveillance force and competent agencies managing fisheries activities, ensure tools and means for law enforcement forces at sea to carry out anti-IUU fishing work. Strongly implement solutions to change occupations, develop sustainable industries, promote aquaculture at sea, reduce dependence on fisheries exploitation for fishermen; ensure the number of fishing vessels and exploitation strength are appropriate to the reserves of aquatic resources in the sea areas.

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

Promote industrialization, modernization, application of advanced science and technology, innovation, digital transformation in aquaculture and fisheries exploitation, establish sustainable production chains, comprehensive ecosystems, create a favorable environment for the fisheries industry to develop in the long term, towards a circular economy, green economy, emission reduction, prestige, high competitiveness, deep participation in the global supply chain, climate change adaptation, and environmental friendliness. At the same time, focus on conserving, protecting, and developing aquatic resources; the development of the fisheries industry must be associated with ensuring social security, sustainable livelihoods, improving the material and spiritual life of fishermen and related workers; build a national defense and security posture at sea, contributing to firmly protecting the sovereignty of the sea and islands of the Fatherland.

Strengthen international cooperation on fisheries, send fishing vessels and fishermen to legally exploit outside Vietnam's waters; 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 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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