Determined to achieve the goal of removing the EC's "yellow card" warning in 2024

On the afternoon of June 17, Comrade Tran Luu Quang, member of the Party Central Committee, Deputy Prime Minister, Head of the National Steering Committee on combating illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUU), chaired an online conference with ministries, branches and 28 coastal provinces and cities to assess the situation and results of combating IUU fishing.

Provincial leaders attended the conference at Thai Binh bridge.

Video: 170624_-_HOP_TRUC_TUYEN_CHINH_PHU.mp4?_t=1718622479

Attending the conference at Thai Binh bridge were comrades: Nguyen Tien Thanh, Standing Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Provincial People's Council; Nguyen Khac Than, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee.

Delegates attending the conference at Thai Binh bridge point.

After nearly 7 years of implementing the task of removing the "yellow card" warning of the European Commission (EC), through 4 inspections by the EC, the situation of combating IUU fishing has achieved some remarkable results.

The country has 86,820 fishing vessels, of which 98.25% of fishing vessels with a length of 15m or more are equipped with voyage monitoring devices. The work of tracing the origin of exploited aquatic products has been implemented more strictly, and no shipments exported to the European market have been found to violate IUU fishing. Law enforcement and handling of IUU fishing violations have been strengthened, with 4 cases related to brokerage and collusion to bring fishing vessels and fishermen to illegally exploit in foreign waters have been prosecuted.

However, in combating IUU fishing, there are still some tasks that are slow to change, not meeting the requirements according to the EC's recommendations: not preventing and ending the situation of Vietnamese fishing vessels and fishermen violating illegal fishing in foreign waters. Registration, granting of fishing licenses, installation of voyage monitoring equipment and decisive handling of "3 no" fishing vessels have not been completed; the work of monitoring, controlling and supervising fishing vessel activities at sea through the fishing vessel monitoring system and at ports has not fully complied with regulations... In particular, the work of law enforcement and handling of IUU violations is still lacking in determination, unity and unevenness among localities.

Leaders of ministries, branches and localities focused on clarifying the causes of shortcomings and limitations in implementing the EC's recommendations; urgent tasks and solutions, focusing on combating IUU fishing, preparing for the 5th working session with the EC scheduled to take place in September. Leaders of the Supreme People's Court introduced some basic contents of Resolution No. 04/2024/NQ-HDTP dated June 12, 2024 of the Supreme People's Court's Judicial Council guiding the application of some provisions of the Penal Code on criminal prosecution for acts related to illegal exploitation, trading and transportation of aquatic products (Resolution 04).

To ensure the best results in the 5th inspection by the EC, determined to achieve the goal of removing the "yellow card" warning in 2024, at the conference, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang, Head of the National Steering Committee on combating IUU fishing, requested relevant ministries, branches and localities to urgently overcome shortcomings and limitations; focus on urgent and key tasks and solutions from now until September 2024, including promoting the dissemination of the contents of Resolution 04 to each fisherman and boat owner. This is an important legal basis for competent agencies, organizations and individuals in the central political system and 28 coastal provinces and cities to propagate and disseminate to organizations and individuals related to the exploitation, trading and transportation of aquatic products to prevent and combat IUU fishing. Lead and direct the serious implementation of Directive No. 32-CT/TW of the Secretariat, Resolution No. 52/NQ-CP of the Government and the instructions of the Prime Minister, Head of the National Steering Committee on combating IUU fishing to ensure progress, attach responsibility to heads of Party committees, authorities at all levels and functional forces. Focus resources, lead, direct, and strengthen coordination between functional forces in localities to synchronously, drastically, and comprehensively implement tasks and solutions for propaganda and mobilization, while monitoring, controlling, preventing, and promptly handling right on shore and at sea, moving towards ending violations. Strictly implement fleet management, thoroughly handle "3 no" fishing vessels; closely monitor and supervise fishing vessels participating in fishing activities; monitor local fishing output, confirm and certify traceability of seafood and resolutely handle IUU fishing acts; Do not let fishing vessels and fishermen exploit IUU fishing to affect diplomatic relations with other countries.

Luu Ngan - Manh Thang

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