Resolutely resolve existing problems and limitations in combating IUU fishing

On the afternoon of June 17, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang chaired the 10th meeting of the National Steering Committee on Combating Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing (IUU). The conference was connected online to 28 coastal localities across the country.

Overview of the conference at the Hanoi bridge (Screenshot).

Attending the conference at Thanh Hoa province were comrades: Trinh Tuan Sinh, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee; Dau Thanh Tung, Provincial Party Committee member, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee and representatives of leaders of departments, branches, units and coastal localities of the province.

Delegates attending at Thanh Hoa province bridge.

After nearly 7 years of implementing the task of removing the "yellow card" warning of the European Commission (EC) and the Conclusions of the Head of the National Steering Committee on IUU, the situation of combating IUU fishing has achieved some remarkable results.

The conference was connected online with coastal localities of Thanh Hoa province.

However, there are still some tasks that are slow to change and do not meet the requirements recommended by the EC. Typically: There are still cases of fishermen's fishing vessels violating foreign waters being arrested and processed; fishing vessels with "3 no's" (no inspection, no registration, no operating license); the situation of buying, selling, transferring names, and changing ownership of fishing vessels between localities is not strictly controlled. The situation of vessels crossing maritime boundaries, disconnecting from VMS when operating at sea for more than 10 days; operating in the wrong area occurs frequently. The rate of monitored seafood output is still low. Law enforcement and handling of IUU violations are still lacking in determination, consistency, and unevenness among localities.

Delegates attending at Thanh Hoa province bridge.

At the conference, leaders of localities, ministries and branches discussed, pointed out the existing problems, causes and proposed solutions for managing fishing fleets, managing the traceability of exploited seafood for export shipments to the EU market. Accordingly, many delegates suggested that in the coming time, it is necessary to both propagate and mobilize, and monitor, control, prevent and promptly handle violations right on shore and at sea, moving towards ending violations; strictly implementing fleet management, thoroughly handling "3 no" fishing vessels; closely monitoring and supervising fishing vessels participating in seafood exploitation activities; monitoring the output of locally exploited seafood, confirming and certifying the traceability of seafood and resolutely handling IUU fishing activities without exception.

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang delivered a concluding speech at the online conference (Screenshot).

Concluding the conference, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang requested ministries, branches and localities to focus on leadership and direction to thoroughly resolve existing problems and limitations according to the EC's recommendations in the 4th inspection, and to achieve the goal of "removing the yellow card" under the direction of the Secretariat, the Government, the Prime Minister and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

At the same time, promote the dissemination of Resolution No. 04/2024/NQ-HDTP, dated June 12, 2024 of the Council of Judges of the Supreme People's Court on Guidance on the application of a number of provisions of the Penal Code on criminal prosecution for acts related to illegal exploitation, trading and transportation of aquatic products to take strong action and thoroughly resolve violations. Strengthen the management and supervision of fleets and traceability of exploited seafood.

Along with that, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang requested localities to arrange maximum forces and means to carry out peak law enforcement, patrol, inspect, control, and monitor fishing vessel activities at sea, fishing vessels entering and leaving ports, and entering and leaving ports to ensure full compliance with regulations against IUU fishing. Urgently review and thoroughly handle violations, ensuring specific results and data to work with the 5th EC Inspection Delegation.

Le Hoa

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/giai-quyet-dut-diem-nhung-ton-tai-han-che-ve-chong-khai-thac-iuu-217037.htm