In Ha Tinh, the implementation of solutions to prevent and combat IUU fishing has achieved some positive results. Violations of IUU fishing in the area have decreased significantly compared to previous years.
Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac
On the afternoon of October 7, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang chaired an online conference to promote solutions to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUU fishing), preparing to welcome and work with the 4th inspection delegation of the European Commission. Permanent Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Nguyen Hong Linh operates the Ha Tinh bridge point. |
After nearly 6 years of implementing solutions to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUU fishing), removing the European Commission's (EC) "yellow card" warning and through 3 field inspections by the EC inspection team, the results of the implementation of the task of combating IUU fishing have had many positive changes.
However, after the third inspection (October 2022) to date, the implementation results of the EC's recommendations locally are still limited and do not meet requirements.
Permanent Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Nguyen Hong Linh operates the Ha Tinh bridge point.
Accordingly, there are still cases of local fishing vessels and fishermen violating illegal fishing in foreign waters; law enforcement and punishment of IUU fishing violations are not strict; registration and licensing of fishing activities have not been completed; slow implementation of handling of the EC's findings during the third inspection related to a number of imported fishing vessels, a number of seafood exporting enterprises and fishing ports confirming the origin of exploited seafood showing signs of violating IUU regulations...
Delegates attending Ha Tinh bridge point.
If the current situation of IUU fishing violations is not resolved soon, Vietnam will not only not be able to remove the "yellow card" warning, but the risk of being warned with a "red card" is very high.
To combat IUU fishing and remove the EC's "yellow card", the Prime Minister and the National Steering Committee on IUU have assigned specific contents, tasks, completion time, and results to each relevant ministry, branch, and locality for implementation.
Discussing at the conference, delegates focused on assessing the situation, analyzing the causes, pointing out lessons learned, and setting goals and tasks for the coming time.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh speaks at the conference - Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac
Speaking at the conference, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh emphasized that the Party and State leaders are very interested in the fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing through strengthening leadership and direction; strengthening inspection and supervision; promoting propaganda and education for people; continuing to improve institutions, mechanisms and policies; promoting production and business development, creating livelihoods for people; coordinating with relevant countries and organizations to handle; promoting aquaculture to limit fishing.
In recent times, authorities at all levels have actively participated; leaders, directives, and functional forces have strengthened inspection and law enforcement; thanks to that, many positive results have been achieved, and violations have gradually decreased.
The Prime Minister also said that the results of implementing tasks and solutions have not been as expected, and there is still much work to be done. The reason is that the implementation of institutional building, leadership and direction in some units and localities is not serious and lacks focus. The work to combat IUU fishing still has many limitations and shortcomings that need to be resolved.
The Prime Minister further emphasized that the consistent guiding viewpoint of the Party and State is to raise awareness of protecting the ocean and seafood; closely combining the development of the marine economy with the preservation of sovereignty over seas and islands in conjunction with compliance with international regulations; constantly raising people's awareness in law enforcement and environmental protection; caring for and creating livelihoods for people in the direction of increasing aquaculture and processing, reducing offshore fishing.
Regarding the tasks in the coming time, the Prime Minister requested all levels and sectors to continue to improve institutions, including handling violations seriously and in accordance with regulations. Enhance propaganda and education work to disseminate legal regulations related to fisheries; disseminate Vietnam's efforts and results in combating IUU fishing; refute wrong views and arguments about the policy and efforts to combat IUU fishing; replicate effective models, good practices, and typical individuals in efforts to combat illegal fishing.
All levels, sectors and localities must raise their responsibilities and actions for the benefit of the nation, the people and the people; ensure harmony between education and the people's interests in the leadership and direction process. During the EC inspection delegation's work in Vietnam, take every opportunity to explain and demonstrate to the delegation to understand and grasp the situation and conditions of the Vietnamese fisheries industry, the Government's determination and Vietnam's efforts in combating IUU fishing, so that on that basis the delegation can support the removal of the "yellow card" warning in this inspection.
Timely overcome limitations and weaknesses in the fight against illegal fishing with the highest spirit and responsibility; promptly handle violations and shortcomings that the EC has discovered and pointed out in previous inspections. Promote people's responsibility in protecting the environment and aquatic resources; fishing and exploiting aquatic resources must ensure sustainability, avoiding personal and local interests.
The Ministry of National Defense is requested to take the lead and coordinate in implementing measures to both educate and propagate, while tightening discipline and strictly handling violations.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development continues to organize inspections, urge and support units and localities in implementing solutions to combat illegal fishing and prepare well for the reception and work with the 4th inspection delegation of the European Commission.
Coastal localities focus on leading and directing the proper implementation of legal regulations in the management of fishing vessels, registration, inspection, granting of fishing licenses, tracing the origin of exploited aquatic products, law enforcement, and handling of violations...
In Ha Tinh, the implementation of solutions to prevent and combat IUU fishing in recent times has achieved some positive results; units and localities in the province have proactively implemented the 2017 Fisheries Law, key and urgent solutions to combat IUU fishing from direction to implementation. The work of propagating and disseminating the law has been focused on with many forms suitable for each subject, so the awareness of management officials, people and fishing boat owners has been raised. The coordination, inspection and handling of violations have been resolutely implemented by all levels and sectors. Therefore, violations of IUU fishing in the area have decreased significantly compared to previous years. At the Ha Tinh provincial bridge, Permanent Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Nguyen Hong Linh requested units and localities to absorb and well implement the instructions of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh at the conference. At the same time, focus on implementing Official Dispatch No. 12/CD-UBND dated October 4, 2023 of the Provincial People's Committee on urgently implementing strong measures to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, and prepare to work with the 4th inspection delegation of the European Commission. |
Duong Chien
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