Combating illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing is vital to the sustainable development of the fisheries sector.
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Removing the IUU "yellow card": combining propaganda and strict handling of violations |
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| Authorities patrol and control fishing boats at sea. Photo: VNA |
This was affirmed by Ms. Nguyen Hoang Anh Thu, a researcher of the Blue Security program (Blue Security Fellow) at La Trobe University (Australia) in a recent interview with VNA reporters. Ms. Nguyen Hoang Anh Thu also highly appreciated Vietnam's determination to overcome the IUU "yellow card" of the European Commission (EC).
Ms. Anh Thu said that IUU fishing has been affecting Australia's biological resources and marine environment, negatively impacting fishermen's livelihoods, food security and national economic interests.
Australia has demonstrated a high level of commitment and effort in combating IUU fishing and developing a sustainable path for the fisheries sector. Specifically, the Australian Department of Agriculture , Fisheries and Forestry has twice issued a National Action Plan to prevent, reduce and eliminate IUU fishing in 2005 and 2014.
In addition, the Fisheries Management Act 1991 prohibits foreign vessels from fishing in Australia’s exclusive economic zone or territorial waters without a fishing licence. Violators will be arrested, have their fishing gear and catch confiscated, be fined and have a criminal record in Australia for breaking the law. In addition, Australia also strengthens cooperation and supports countries in the region to reduce IUU fishing activities.
Ms. Anh Thu said that Vietnam and Australia have been cooperating closely and effectively in the fields of aquaculture, exploitation and seafood import and export. In particular, the upgrading of the relationship between the two countries to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership last March is expected to open up many new cooperation opportunities. Currently, Australia is the fifth largest seafood import market of Vietnam, while Vietnam is among the largest seafood suppliers of Australia.
The two countries are also joint members of many free trade agreements such as the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans -Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (AANZFTA), and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). These free trade agreements have brought many advantages and promoted seafood trade between Vietnam and Australia.
Australia has also made significant contributions to Vietnam’s efforts to combat illegal fishing. In 2017, Vietnam and Australia signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to promote long-term cooperation in combating IUU fishing. Australia has supported the organization of training courses, workshops and community information sharing workshops for Vietnamese fishermen and officials.
Assessing Vietnam's efforts in combating IUU fishing and promptly removing the EU's "yellow card" warning, according to Ms. Anh Thu, the Party and State of Vietnam have demonstrated high spirit and determination with many positive results and changes recorded from 2017 to present.
In response to the recommendations of the European Commission (EC), Vietnam has made efforts to improve its legal framework by promulgating, amending and supplementing the 2017 Fisheries Law and many other relevant decrees and circulars. In addition, Vietnam has also increased sanctions and stepped up punishment of fishing vessels violating IUU fishing.
As of May 21, 2024, 98.25% of fishing vessels of 15m or more nationwide were equipped with a vessel monitoring system (VMS). In recent years, Vietnam has proactively cooperated internationally and signed memorandums of understanding (MOUs) with many countries such as Thailand, Australia, and the United States. Vietnam has also established a hotline and regularly exchanged information with countries in the Southeast Asian region. Vietnam has actively participated in and chaired the development of the initiative "Building a roadmap to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing in ASEAN for the period 2020-2025".
Ms. Anh Thu commented that, in general, Vietnam's anti-IUU fishing work has achieved many positive results, but there are still some limitations that need to be resolved to soon remove the "yellow card" warning.
Firstly, Vietnam should strictly inspect and ensure that 100% of fishing vessels of 15m or more are equipped with VMS when operating at sea. Authorities need to review and thoroughly handle cases of fishing vessels violating VMS regulations.
Second, although the Party and State have given strong direction, implementation at the local level is still uneven. Therefore, local leaders and fishermen need to strengthen coordination and strictly implement the directions to prevent and combat IUU fishing.
Third, combating IUU fishing requires the joint efforts of the international community. Vietnam should continue to closely coordinate with relevant countries and international organizations and regularly exchange practical experiences in combating IUU fishing. In the long term, Vietnam needs to focus on aquaculture policies and protection of aquatic resources; expand marine protected areas; improve the lives and livelihoods of fishing communities.
Ms. Anh Thu also mentioned the case of Thailand as a reference example in combating IUU fishing and successfully removing the EC's "yellow card". In 2015, after receiving the "yellow card", Thailand carried out comprehensive reforms in the fisheries sector, most notably amending and perfecting the legal framework against IUU fishing according to international standards.
Thailand has strictly enforced the law and thoroughly handled violations, while actively cooperating internationally in this field. Effective measures to prevent and combat IUU fishing have helped the Thai seafood industry develop more sustainably and successfully removed the “yellow card” in 2019.
Source: https://thoidai.com.vn/chuyen-gia-tai-australia-danh-gia-viet-nam-co-nhieu-chuyen-bien-tich-cuc-trong-go-the-vang-iuu-201474.html
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