Determined to remove IUU "yellow card" at the 4th inspection by EC

On October 4, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang signed Official Dispatch No. 916 of the Prime Minister on focusing on implementing urgent tasks and solutions, focusing on combating illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, and preparing to welcome and work with the 4th Inspection Delegation of the European Commission (EC).

Take every opportunity to prove

In order to be determined to remove the "yellow card" warning at the 4th inspection by the EC (from October 10 to 18, 2023), the Prime Minister requested relevant departments, ministries, branches and localities to take the highest responsibility at the present time.

Seriously rectify and focus on synchronously implementing the tasks and solutions assigned by the Prime Minister, Head of the National Steering Committee on IUU in Decision No. 81 dated February 13, 2023, Official Dispatch No. 265 dated April 17, 2023 and other relevant directive documents.

From now until the EC Inspection Delegation visits Vietnam for the 4th time, it is necessary to focus resources and thoroughly handle key and urgent issues.

In particular, relevant departments, ministries, branches and localities ensure resources and funding to promptly complete the work of overcoming existing shortcomings and limitations; prepare content and the best conditions to welcome and work with the 4th EC Inspection Delegation.

“Absolutely do not be negligent, subjective, or indulgent; resolutely and strictly handle organizations and individuals who, for personal gain, deliberately commit illegal acts that affect the national and ethnic interests and the country's image in the international arena,” the dispatch clearly stated.

The European Commission (EC) Inspection Delegation will visit Vietnam to work on IUU from October 10 to 18, 2023 (Photo: Huu Thang).

The Prime Minister assigned the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to continue organizing working groups to inspect, urge and guide localities in carrying out the task of combating IUU fishing; welcoming and working with the EC Inspection Group, especially proactively coordinating and supporting localities in welcoming and working with the EC Inspection Group to ensure the best results.

During the EC Inspection Delegation's work in Vietnam, take every opportunity to explain and demonstrate to the EC Inspection Delegation the understanding and grasp of the situation and conditions of the Vietnamese fisheries industry, the determination of the Government, and the efforts of relevant Vietnamese agencies in combating IUU fishing, so that on that basis, the Delegation can support the removal of the "yellow card" warning in this inspection.

Preside and coordinate with relevant agencies to report to the Prime Minister the results after the EC Inspection Delegation finishes working in Vietnam.

Review the status and data of fishing vessels violating the law

The Ministry of National Defense continues to take strong and resolute measures to prevent the recurrence of Vietnamese fishing vessels and fishermen illegally exploiting seafood in foreign waters.

Strengthening the functional forces, coordinating with local authorities to grasp key areas and subjects at high risk of violations, monitoring, blocking from shore and patrolling, inspecting and controlling in sea areas bordering other countries, at islands, river mouths and inlets, thoroughly handling subjects participating in seafood exploitation that do not comply with legal regulations.

Review and consolidate the entire list and data records of penalties for fishing vessels violating illegal fishing in foreign waters, coordinate with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to unify data on Vietnamese fishing vessels arrested and handled by foreign countries; especially data on fishing vessels violating foreign waters.

The Ministry of National Defense was assigned to review and consolidate the entire list and data records of penalties for fishing vessels violating illegal fishing in foreign waters (Photo: Huu Thang).

Direct the functional forces to coordinate with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to carry out procedures for the EC Inspection Team and the Working Group of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to enter the designated seaport managed by the Ministry of National Defense to implement the Agreement on Port State Measures (PSMA Agreement) for foreign ships to dock to carry out the work program as requested by the EC Inspection Team.

Review and archive records to ensure consistency in fishing vessel control data between border guards and local fishing ports, promptly provide records of handling IUU fishing activities as requested by the EC Inspection Team; fully update the results of sanctions into the software system to monitor and manage administrative violation handling activities in the fisheries sector.

Chairmen of People's Committees of coastal provinces and centrally run cities focus on leading and directing the proper implementation of legal regulations in the management of fishing vessels, registration, inspection, granting of fishing licenses, tracing the origin of exploited aquatic products, law enforcement, and handling of violations.

Specifically, ensure to grasp the entire number of local fishing vessels; clearly understand and update the daily status of fishing vessels with a length of 15m or more that are not eligible to participate in fishing activities (where are the vessels anchored, status of the vessels, etc.).

Direct the border guards to inspect and control 100% of fishing vessels of the province and fishing vessels of other provinces to ensure that they meet all the prescribed conditions; in particular, VMS equipment on fishing vessels of 15m or more must be turned on and operate normally from the time they leave the port until they arrive at the port.

Investigate, verify, and thoroughly handle violations of VMS, focusing on handling 100% of fishing vessels with a length of 24m or more that violate the notice of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Compile the list, organize direct work with each ship owner to guide procedures, carry out registration, inspection, grant licenses and fully update on the national fisheries database (VNFishbase).

Urgently develop detailed plans, programs, and content to welcome and work with the 4th EC Inspection Delegation; carefully prepare relevant documents, files, and logistics; assign specific tasks to relevant agencies and units to coordinate with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to work with the EC Inspection Delegation to ensure the best results; ensure absolute security and safety for the EC Inspection Delegation during the working period.

Relevant ministries and branches, according to their assigned functions and tasks, proactively direct specialized functional agencies to coordinate and drastically and synchronously implement solutions to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing .

Source: https://www.nguoiduatin.vn/quyet-tam-go-the-vang-iuu-tai-dot-thanh-tra-lan-thu-4-cua-ec-a629614.html