Fishing vessels must keep a logbook, seafood arriving at port must be counted.

According to the report of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the situation of combating illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing has changed after more than 6 years of being warned with a “yellow card”. During the third inspection, the European Commission (EC) continued to acknowledge and highly appreciate Vietnam’s efforts in combating IUU fishing.

Talking to the press about the issue of removing the IUU yellow card, Mr. Tran Dinh Luan - Director of the Department of Fisheries (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development), said that this is an important issue that the entire political system participates in, determined to remove the IUU yellow card. In which, the Standing Committee of the Steering Committee of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Deputy Minister of the Ministry go to each locality to directly direct and urge the implementation.

According to Mr. Luan, the legal regulations have been completed and are in line with Vietnamese law. However, the current problem is how localities implement them.

Must resolve the situation of fishing vessels violating regulations to remove the IUU yellow card (Photo: Diem Phuc)

Preparing to welcome the EC inspection delegation, the Ministry has clearly stated the EC's 4 recommendations in removing the yellow card. In particular, for the management of fishing vessels, each locality has specific instructions on installing monitoring devices. However, there are still fishing vessels violating foreign waters.

"The Fisheries Law, Decree 26 and 42 clearly stipulate the acts that must be punished, but localities still mainly stop at reminding and asking for commitments to be signed," Mr. Luan said, emphasizing that punishment is punishment, not commitment. Some localities punish very well and strictly, but there are also localities that are not resolute. This affects the results of the implementation of the fight against IUU fishing.

According to Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Phung Duc Tien, the EC issue groups' recommendations in the third inspection were seriously implemented and highly appreciated.

However, he also admitted that managing and monitoring the fishing fleet is still a big challenge. Currently, the number of vessels over 15m in length is about 30,000. Violating vessels still exist, although they have decreased significantly compared to last year.

He also emphasized that traceability is mandatory for fishing vessels. Accordingly, fishing vessels must have a logbook, must notify the port 1 hour in advance, the amount of seafood caught must be counted to which markets, at what rate, how much is left...

"The handling of administrative violations in provinces is carried out with 100% determination, such as Kien Giang ," he said. In addition, resolving the traceability of 6 tons of swordfish, 2 violating ships, and a number of prosecutions also demonstrate our high determination in removing the IUU yellow card.

Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien hopes that after this fourth inspection by the EC, we will soon remove this yellow card.

Previously, the working delegation of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development led by Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Minh Hoan visited and worked with agencies of the European Commission (EC) in Brussels, Belgium and also discussed the issue of combating IUU fishing.

Minister Le Minh Hoan asked the EC to support Vietnam in investigating aquatic resources in Vietnam's waters. At the same time, implement programs to convert some seafood exploitation occupations that affect resources and the ecological environment, and transform the livelihoods of coastal fishing communities.

In particular, the EU Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries affirmed that the European Commission will accompany Vietnam in developing sustainable fisheries. The EU will issue guidelines on sustainable fisheries development in accordance with the EU's strategies such as the green deal, circular economy ... The EU wishes to support Vietnam to become a world model in developing the sustainable fisheries industry and combating IUU fishing.

Peace of Mind

In an effort to remove the IUU "yellow card", Khanh Hoa fishermen "go declare and report back" . On each trip, Khanh Hoa fishermen will activate the journey monitoring device, record a logbook and not violate foreign waters in an effort to remove the IUU "yellow card".

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