That was the sharing of Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Phung Duc Tien about the preliminary results after the European Commission (EC) Inspection Delegation conducted the fourth field inspection (from October 10 to October 18, 2023) on combating illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) seafood exploitation.
Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien said that the Inspection Team proposed to control and prevent fishing vessels from illegally exploiting in foreign waters; not to allow vessels to lose connection for 10 days; not to allow vessels to have 3 no's: no inspection, no registration, no license; and the penalty rate is still very low. For raw materials imported by container ships (for swordfish, longfin tuna).
The delegation continued to recommend that Vietnam take strict measures to handle responsibilities of local organizations and individuals who do not fulfill their assigned duties and tasks, and businesses that conduct illegal business.
The delegation also recommended that localities focus on strictly implementing fisheries laws, especially regulations on vessel monitoring equipment (VMS), registration, licensing, and marking of fishing vessels to create changes in practice; resolutely and thoroughly punish violations of IUU fishing.
Regarding the official results, Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien said that the inspection team must report to the Directorate General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries of the European Commission (EC), and only then will there be a conclusion on removing Vietnam's "yellow card".
Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien said that Vietnam is waiting for the conclusion of the European Commission's (EC) Directorate General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries to remove Vietnam's IUU "yellow card".
However, from now until the next inspection (expected in May-June 2024), Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien proposed that leaders of coastal provinces and cities must continue to closely direct, regularly and continuously and synchronously implement solutions so that Vietnam can remove the "yellow card". Provinces with a system connected to VMS devices must be on duty 24/7 to promptly detect vessels that cross the boundary or lose connection. In particular, strong measures must be taken to prevent fishing vessels from illegally exploiting in foreign waters.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development will promptly put into use the Electronic Traceability System. At the same time, it will continue to organize working groups to inspect, urge and propose measures to handle responsibilities for organizations and individuals who are still lacking responsibility in the locality.
According to Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien, during the fourth field inspection, the European Commission's inspection team worked in two provinces, Ba Ria - Vung Tau and Binh Dinh. Currently, they are waiting for the conclusion of the European Commission (EC) on removing the IUU "yellow card" from Vietnam.
Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien said that the delegation also appreciated the positive changes, the right direction and the very close direction from the Central Government of Vietnam. The delegation also agreed with Vietnam that the shift from private fishing to responsible fishing has had a positive change.
Regarding the legal framework, the Delegation basically agreed with the draft of two decrees amending and supplementing: Decree 26/2019/ND-CP of the Government detailing a number of articles and measures to implement the Law on Fisheries and Decree No. 42/2019/ND-CP of the Government regulating administrative sanctions for violations in the field of fisheries.
PHAM DUY
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