Be more decisive, swift, and resolute in declaring war on IUU fishing.

On the evening of December 16th, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh chaired the 26th meeting of the National Steering Committee for Combating Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing. The meeting was conducted online, connecting coastal provinces and cities nationwide. Attending the meeting were Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha – Head of the Steering Committee; Minister of Agriculture and Environment Tran Duc Thang; and leaders from central and local ministries and agencies.

At the meeting, delegates focused on reviewing and assessing the implementation of tasks and solutions to combat IUU fishing as directed by the Government and the Steering Committee. The Prime Minister emphasized that combating IUU fishing is a key political task, both urgent and long-term, aimed at achieving a "dual goal": to have the European Commission's (EC) "yellow card" lifted soon and to restructure the fisheries sector towards sustainable, legal, and transparent development; shifting strongly from fishing to aquaculture and processing, while strengthening international cooperation.

According to the report at the meeting, during the past week, ministries, sectors, and localities continued to seriously implement assigned tasks and achieved some concrete results. To date, 100% of fishing vessels in localities (79,231/79,231 vessels) have been registered and updated on the Vnfishbase system. The traceability of seafood has been actively implemented for both domestically harvested and imported seafood. During the week, there were no cases of Vietnamese fishing vessels violating foreign waters and being apprehended.

Notably, regarding the illegal swordfish shipments that violated EC recommendations, the Khanh Hoa Provincial Police have initiated legal proceedings against T&H Nha Trang Co., Ltd. and Thinh Hung Co., Ltd. Information and communication efforts regarding Vietnam's fight against IUU fishing continue to be intensified. However, the Prime Minister also frankly pointed out that many tasks have not yet met the requirements and deadlines set.

The 26th meeting of the National Steering Committee against Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing. (Photo: VGP)

Concluding the meeting, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh requested that all agencies and entities within the political system fully demonstrate their responsibility, based on their assigned functions, tasks, and powers, to urgently review and re-examine all work; to act more decisively and swiftly, and resolutely declare war on IUU fishing.

The Prime Minister emphasized the spirit of "completing each task thoroughly," absolutely avoiding formality, shirking responsibility, or evading accountability. Besides commending localities and units that have performed well, the Prime Minister requested ministers, heads of departments, and chairmen of People's Committees of coastal provinces and cities to seriously rectify and promptly complete outstanding tasks; clarify the causes of delays, review and handle responsibilities according to Party regulations and State laws, linking this to the evaluation of officials according to Political Bureau Regulation No. 366-QĐ/TW.

The Prime Minister instructed the Government Inspectorate to investigate and individualize responsibility in localities that are slow or have not completed their tasks in managing fishing fleets and fishermen; and requested localities to do a good job of managing citizens in their areas.

The Prime Minister requested the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to urgently work with and cross-check information with relevant countries to unify information on Vietnamese fishing vessels and fishermen who have been detained; to provide a complete list, status of handling, and repatriation, creating a basis for domestic agencies to definitively handle and hold accountable the networks organizing and brokering the illegal exploitation of Vietnamese fishermen in foreign waters.

Ministries, sectors, and localities are required to urgently and seriously verify and handle cases of fishing vessels and fishermen violating regulations; at the same time, they must review and hold accountable the organizations and individuals involved. Regarding the cases in Khanh Hoa, the Prime Minister requested the remaining localities to continue to definitively handle the organizations and individuals involved in issuing certificates of origin (SC) and certificates of origin (CC) for violating seafood shipments during the 2021-2022 period.

The Prime Minister emphasized the need for strict handling of businesses importing and consuming seafood shipments that violate IUU regulations; the Vietnam Association of Seafood Processing and Export (VASEP) must take responsibility for participating and coordinating closely in rectifying the supply chain.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh concludes the meeting. (Photo: VGP)

The Prime Minister requested the Vietnam Fatherland Front and political and social organizations to participate, localities to launch widespread movements; and media agencies to strengthen propaganda, create social consensus, and strongly condemn violations. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism will continue to direct media agencies to promote information and communication about Vietnam's determination and efforts in combating IUU fishing.

Emphasizing that "if the tools are available but cannot be used, the responsibility lies with the managers," the Prime Minister requested ministries, sectors, and localities to effectively utilize all existing legal tools and resources; and at the same time, review and propose timely additions to mechanisms, resources, and funding when necessary.

The Prime Minister instructed the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment to coordinate with ministries, sectors, and localities to urgently complete progress reports to be submitted to the EC, ensuring they are complete, accurate, and supported by verifiable data; and to maintain regular communication with the EC to promptly provide information when requested.

The Ministry of National Defence continues to maintain strict patrols and control of the border waters; controls the entry and exit of fishing vessels; and resolutely prevents vessels that do not meet the requirements from leaving port. The Ministry of Public Security is accelerating investigations and strictly handling networks involved in brokering and organizing illegal fishing activities involving fishing vessels and fishermen, as well as acts of falsifying documents and committing fraud in the seafood supply chain.

The People's Committees of coastal provinces and cities will continue to strictly implement regulations on registration and licensing of fishing activities; control fishing vessels with "three no's" (no permits, no ...

Specifically, the Prime Minister requested that within the next 5 days, the remaining 15 out of 22 provinces and cities must complete the issuance of policies for vocational retraining for fishermen, creating sustainable livelihoods and reducing pressure on fishing.

Source: https://thoidai.com.vn/quyet-liet-than-toc-hon-nua-kien-quyet-tuyen-chien-voi-khai-thac-iuu-218421.html