Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh: Determined to remove the IUU "yellow card" by 2025

VTV.vn - Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh emphasized that fighting IUU fishing must be fundamental, long-term, not reactive; the goal is to remove the "yellow card" this year.

The Prime Minister chaired the 14th meeting of the Steering Committee against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing - Photo: VGP

On the afternoon of September 23, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh chaired the 14th meeting of the National Steering Committee on Combating Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing.

Opinions unanimously agreed that the fight against IUU fishing has achieved positive results in recent times, with each quarter being better than the previous. However, the fisheries sector and offshore fishing activities are generally not sustainable and have not yet removed the EU's "yellow card". There are still cases of fishing vessels and fishermen violating foreign waters; negatively affecting the country's reputation and image.

Concluding the meeting, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh clearly stated the requirement for sustainable, long-term, strategic development of the fisheries sector, contributing to the country's development and improving the material and spiritual life of the people. According to the Prime Minister, the main causes of the shortcomings and limitations are that some Party committees and authorities, especially the leaders, are negligent, subjective, lax in leadership and direction, and do not act decisively, comprehensively, and comprehensively; the awareness of law observance of a part of the people is still limited, even disregarding the law and dealing with the authorities; fisheries infrastructure, supervision, exploitation, and traceability of seafood have not met requirements; inspection, supervision, investigation, detection, and handling work are not regular, continuous, and resolute. The Prime Minister emphasized the guiding viewpoints in solving and handling this issue.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh emphasized: "First, it must be fundamental, systematic, comprehensive, and not individual, reactive, not doing it at the moment if you like it, doing it, not doing it if you don't like it, stopping when you get stuck, seeing it as difficult. Second, resolving negative issues related to the fisheries industry is for the benefit of Vietnam, the industry, the people, especially fishermen, in a long-term, sustainable, and effective manner, not to resist or deal with the removal of yellow and red cards. Third, contributing to protecting our independence and sovereignty at sea, protecting the prestige, honor, and intelligence of the Vietnamese people. Fourth, contributing to improving the lives and material and spiritual lives of fishermen, creating jobs and long-term, sustainable livelihoods for fishermen, not just doing it one day at a time."

In the coming time, the Prime Minister requested that the development of the fisheries sector in general and the fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing be identified as urgent, important, regular, long-term and sustainable tasks. This is the task of the entire political system, especially the heads of Party committees and authorities; of the whole society and all relevant people.

The Prime Minister clearly stated 5 comprehensive goals, throughout the coming time, which are to re-establish the order of fleet management in accordance with the law, strictly and strictly; develop the fisheries industry and fisheries sustainably, safely and in accordance with international law; change the status from mainly offshore fishing to mainly nearshore aquaculture and seafood processing. In particular, we must be determined to remove the IUU "Yellow Card" this year.

Regarding general tasks, the Prime Minister requested to continue reviewing and perfecting related institutions. Regarding the difficulties and inadequacies that cannot be amended immediately, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment proposed that the Government immediately issue a Resolution in a shortened form in September for immediate handling. At the same time, establish a Working Group headed by the Deputy Minister of Public Security to coordinate with agencies to thoroughly handle discovered criminal violations, to be completed before October 15.

The Prime Minister also requested the digitalization of all fishing vessel management work, connecting data with the national population database; assigning Viettel Group to implement and complete it no later than October 15. The Prime Minister also assigned many specific tasks related to tracing the origin, licensing, and operating the VMS monitoring system, in which fishing vessels that do not meet the conditions and are not equipped with VMS are absolutely not allowed to operate.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh requested agencies and localities to pay attention to taking care of people's lives (including rice and food) during the transition period; create jobs, livelihoods, and support people to change careers, in which the social policy bank should research a suitable credit package.

Source: https://vtv.vn/thu-tuong-pham-minh-chinh-quyet-tam-go-the-vang-iuu-trong-nam-2025-100250923192646209.htm