On January 25, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Minh Hoan signed Decision No. 1 on establishing the Steering Committee to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, removing the "card" warning. gold" and sustainable fisheries development.
Accordingly, the head of the committee is Mr. Phung Duc Tien - Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Deputy Head of the National Steering Committee on IUU. Members of the board include leaders of the Department of Fisheries Inspection, Department of Fisheries, Department of Quality - Processing and Market Development, Department of Animal Health, Department of Finance, Department of Planning, Department of International Cooperation, Department of Legal Affairs, Office sets.
Members of the Steering Committee are responsible for directing and organizing the implementation of related tasks according to the direction of the Head of the Committee and assigning leaders and experts of the unit to monitor and advise on the implementation of assigned tasks. At the same time, it is responsible for coordinating and providing information to the IUU standing agency of the Ministry (Fisheries Surveillance Department) for implementation.
Mr. Phung Duc Tien - Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development is Head of the IUU Steering Committee (Photo: Huu Thang).
The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development also established the Standing Office of the IUU Steering Committee, located at the headquarters of the Fisheries Inspection Department. Specifically, the Chief of Office is Mr. Duong Van Cuong - Deputy Director of the Fisheries Surveillance Department. The Deputy Chief of Office is Mr. Nguyen Minh Tanh, Fisheries Surveillance Operations Division, Fisheries Surveillance Department.
The tasks and powers of the IUU Steering Committee are stated in 7 points by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. Firstly, advise and organize the implementation of the tasks of the standing agency of the National Steering Committee on IUU, and at the same time direct the implementation of programs, projects and planning to serve sustainable fisheries development. .
Second, direct, review, and propose amendments, supplements, and promulgation of new fisheries laws, mechanisms, and policies to serve the sustainable management of the fisheries industry, in accordance with the actual situation. and international integration and anti-IUU.
Third, develop programs and activity plans of the National Steering Committee on IUU on an annual and irregular basis; Handling regular tasks, ensuring effective and efficient operating conditions of the National Steering Committee on IUU.
Fourth, direct agencies and units under the Ministry to implement tasks and solutions to combat IUU exploitation according to the direction of the Government, the Prime Minister and the Head of the National Steering Committee on IUU; Deploying information and communication activities, propagating legal training and international cooperation in seafood exploitation and combating IUU fishing with other countries and international and regional organizations.
Fifth, urge, coordinate and coordinate with relevant departments, ministries, branches and localities to propose to the Prime Minister and Head of the National Steering Committee on IUU tasks and solutions to combat IUU exploitation; Direct and coordinate to promptly handle difficulties and problems in combating IUU exploitation in localities.
Sixth, monitor, inspect, supervise and evaluate the implementation results of combating IUU fishing by relevant departments, ministries, branches and localities; Synthesize and prepare reports and submit to the Prime Minister and Head of the National Steering Committee on IUU the results of implementing the task of combating IUU exploitation periodically and unexpectedly.
Seventh, perform other tasks as assigned and directed by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Government and the Prime Minister.
Following the Prime Minister's direction, the entire political system is actively participating to remove the IUU "yellow card". On that basis, from the early days of 2024, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has organized many delegations to inspect fishing ports in 28 coastal provinces and cities.
Based on 4 main recommendations of the EC Inspection Team, including legal framework, fleet management, traceability of exploited seafood and handling of violations, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development proactively guides localities to well implement the contents. This, before the 5th EC inspection, expected in May (or June) this year.
