High level of synchronization and unity for EC to remove IUU 'yellow card' in 2025

The EC has decided to postpone the 5th inspection to assess the removal of the IUU “yellow card” from March 2025 to the end of 2025. Could you please tell us about the results that Vietnam has achieved so far in its efforts to remove the IUU “yellow card” by 2025?

- Implementing Directive No. 32-CT/TW dated April 10, 2024 of the Secretariat on strengthening the Party's leadership in combating IUU and sustainable development of the fisheries sector; Resolution No. 52/NQ-CP dated April 22, 2024 of the Government promulgating the Action Program and implementation plan for Directive No. 32-CT/TW, the political system in localities has synchronously and strongly implemented solutions to combat IUU.

This has brought about clear results. Some issues affecting the process of removing the IUU “yellow card” of Vietnam have been basically controlled, specifically: Serious violations have been strictly handled, many localities have very flexible solutions to monitor fleets operating at sea and fishing ports. Previously, it was difficult for authorities to know where fishing vessels were going and where they were returning, but now with the application of information technology and databases, they have been strictly managed. All data on fishing vessels operating in the sea areas are collected and updated daily. When violations are detected, the data will be transferred to localities so that law enforcement forces at sea and on shore can grasp and handle them according to regulations. Through such close and regular monitoring, fishermen have raised their awareness of compliance.

It can be affirmed that Vietnam has taken the lead in the region and the world in implementing this. While the EC only applied the electronic traceability system starting from October 2026, Vietnam has applied it since January 2024. All monitoring of ships entering and leaving ports, output, species... are updated on Vietnam's electronic traceability database.

Currently, the EC also highly appreciates and recommends that we apply the criteria according to international standards and practices into practice, on that basis we can easily explain to the EC in the 5th inspection. This helps Vietnam not only remove the EC's IUU "yellow card" but also overcome the barriers of the international market towards sustainable development.

Regarding the timeline for completing the report to be submitted to the EC Inspection Delegation for review, how is it being implemented, sir?

- The peak plan until August 30, 2025 requires strengthening inspection and monitoring of border waters, thereby creating a mechanism to protect and encourage fishermen and fishing vessels to operate legally, and to propagate and be alert to illegal acts of aggression by fishing vessels and functional forces of neighboring countries... to protect Vietnam's sovereignty and territory.

Before September 15, the Department of Fisheries and Fisheries Surveillance must report to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment and the National Steering Committee on IUU on completing the requirements set by the EC for the 5th inspection to remove the IUU "yellow card" in the past 8 years.

However, the current process of merging provinces and cities may also affect the specific direction of issues related to each local area facing, but we determine that removing the IUU "yellow card" by 2025 is an urgent issue that must be implemented synchronously and with high political determination from the central to local levels.

Can you give some measures that the Department of Fisheries and Fisheries Surveillance (Ministry of Agriculture and Environment) has taken to encourage fishermen to respect the law in the field of fisheries?

- Implementing the direction of Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Phung Duc Tien - Deputy Head of the National Steering Committee on IUU, we have now coordinated closely, smoothly, and resolutely to "clarify 5" (clear people, clear work, clear progress, clear resources, clear responsibilities) as the Prime Minister has reminded in many conferences. We have also given reasons for the need to amend and supplement a number of Decrees in the fisheries sector to completely remove the EC's "yellow card" in 2025.

In addition, we also suggest and propose specific actions that local authorities can recommend to fishermen, such as changing old connection devices to new, high-tech, flexible devices according to Decree No. 37/ND-CP on the QMS connection system, which must be completed and synchronized by 2026. Next is the coordination with border guards, fisheries control, police to patrol and control "3 no" fishing vessels operating at ports, entering and leaving ports... and subjects that broker and transport VMS devices in violation of the law.

In addition, in order to promptly and urgently send documents to coastal provinces and cities on management and handling of issues that localities encounter during the inspection process of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, the Department will soon organize conferences for 28 provinces and cities on combating IUU fishing to provide strong direction, increase connectivity and inter-sectoral cooperation from the central to local levels. In particular, it will thoroughly inspect and rectify existing and newly arising violations for timely handling, increasing deterrence in illegal fishing as required by the EC.

Thank you very much!

Gia Hong (performed)

Source: https://baophapluat.vn/dong-bo-thong-nhat-cao-de-ec-go-the-vang-iuu-trong-nam-2025-post548904.html