Prime Minister: Determined to remove IUU "yellow card" this year

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.

Determined to remove IUU yellow card

At the meeting, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh emphasized the strong determination to remove the “yellow card” that the European Commission (EC) warned about Vietnamese seafood by 2025. According to the Prime Minister, this is not only a purely economic task but also related to national prestige, national image and the long-term, sustainable life of millions of coastal fishermen. He affirmed that to achieve this goal, the entire political system must take drastic action, from the central to local levels, especially the role and responsibility of the leaders.

The Prime Minister requested the Steering Committee to hold weekly review meetings, regularly inspect, urge, and thoroughly handle violations, and at the same time perfect the institution, digitize fishing vessel management, monitor journeys, and connect national data. Localities that allow fishing vessels to violate foreign waters must be directly responsible to the Government. He also assigned specific tasks to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, the Ministry of Public Security , the Ministry of National Defense, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and relevant ministries and branches to closely coordinate in managing, handling violations, tracing the origin of seafood, supporting fishermen to change jobs, and ensuring stable livelihoods.

With the strong message of “Vietnamese intelligence, Vietnamese strength, Vietnamese prestige and honor”, the Prime Minister called for the synchronous, drastic and responsible participation of all levels, sectors and people.

Developing sustainable fisheries industry

In the first 8 months of 2025, Vietnam's fisheries industry recorded many positive signals despite many challenges. Aquaculture output is estimated at 6.4 million tons, of which aquaculture continues to account for an increasingly high proportion, contributing to reducing pressure on offshore fishing. For the whole year of 2024, the total output will reach about 9.6 million tons, making Vietnam one of the countries with large fisheries output in the region.

Thủ tướng: Quyết gỡ thẻ vàng IUU trong năm nay - 1 — Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh speaks at the meeting (Photo: VGP).

Regarding exports, Vietnamese seafood is currently present in about 170 markets around the world, including demanding and high-value markets such as the US, Japan, EU, Korea, China, Australia and Canada. Seafood export turnover in 2024 will reach about 10 billion USD and in 2025 is expected to continue growing as many key products such as shrimp, pangasius and tuna are improved in quality, meeting international standards.

The Prime Minister requested that in parallel with removing the IUU yellow card, it is necessary to take care of livelihoods, support fishermen to change jobs, promote aquaculture and seafood processing to gradually reduce dependence on offshore fishing.

With synchronous, drastic solutions and a comprehensive approach, the goal of removing the "yellow card" is not only to expand export markets but also to build a sustainable development of Vietnam's seafood industry, protect sea and island sovereignty and enhance national prestige.

Resolutely handle criminal violations

The Prime Minister requested to review and perfect the institutions. For regulations that cannot be amended immediately, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment should propose that the Government immediately issue a Resolution to adjust them, to be completed within September.

Along with that, it is necessary to strengthen the Steering Committee according to the 2-level local government and organize a new apparatus; improve the capacity of its members.

Regarding fishing vessel management, especially solving the problem of vessels not meeting operating conditions, the Chairmen of the People's Committees of provinces and cities must direct the resolution and completion before October 15.

The Ministry of Public Security has compiled a list and conducted an investigation of fishermen who violated foreign waters and were returned to their home country to identify and thoroughly handle brokerage lines that send fishing vessels and fishermen to illegally exploit abroad.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/kinh-doanh/thu-tuong-quyet-go-the-vang-iuu-trong-nam-nay-20250923212730601.htm