Sanctions are not strict
The fourth working session of the EC Inspection Delegation took place from October 10 to 18, 2023, including meetings with units of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and field trips to two provinces, Ba Ria - Vung Tau and Binh Dinh. Through this inspection, the EC continued to acknowledge and highly appreciate Vietnam's efforts to combat IUU fishing, especially the political determination, attention and direction of the Government and the Prime Minister.
The delegation also assessed the positive changes, the right direction and the very close direction of Vietnam, agreeing with Vietnam that the transition from private fishing to responsible fishing has had a positive change. The remaining key issue is that the EU is concerned that the actual implementation at the local level is still limited in monitoring, controlling and supervising fishing vessel activities, as well as the punishment of IUU fishing violations, and the sanctions for fraudulent businesses are not strict.
The delegation continued to recommend that Vietnam take strict measures to handle responsibilities for local organizations and individuals who do not fulfill their assigned duties and tasks, as well as businesses that do 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, creating changes in practice, and resolutely punishing IUU fishing violations.
Accordingly, the EC inspection team requested Vietnam to continue to control and prevent fishing vessels from illegally exploiting in foreign waters, not to allow vessels to lose connection for 10 days, and not to allow vessels to have "3 no's" (no inspection, no registration, no license). The EC inspection team also recommended that Vietnam take strict measures to handle responsibilities for local organizations and individuals who do not fulfill their assigned duties and tasks, and businesses that do illegal business...
The opportunity to remove the "yellow card" is near
It is expected that in the second quarter of 2024, the EC will come to inspect for the fifth time, and this is a decisive opportunity for Vietnam to remove the "yellow card" on fishing. If it fails to do so, Vietnam may have to wait a few more years to have the opportunity, and may even risk being fined with a "red card" against illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, restricting seafood exports to important markets. Therefore, the task of removing the "yellow card" IUU is more urgent than ever and requires a great deal of effort. Over the years, with many different methods and with the promotion of propaganda following the motto "slow and steady wins the race".
To overcome this situation, the installation and operation of voyage monitoring equipment for fishing vessels operating at sea is a key issue, helping authorities closely manage vehicles, promptly detect, prevent and handle violations.
In recent times, Binh Thuan has been very determined to implement the installation of equipment to monitor fishing vessels according to regulations. In addition, the Provincial Party Committee and Provincial People's Committee have also mobilized the strength of the entire political system with high determination to urgently overcome limitations and shortcomings, in order to contribute to the whole country to soon remove the EC's "yellow card", towards building a responsible and sustainable fishing industry.
Currently, the authorities and localities in the province have developed a coordination regulation to strengthen law enforcement, strictly and resolutely handle fishing vessels violating IUU fishing. At the same time, they maintain inspection and supervision of the implementation of public duties to prevent and combat IUU fishing at sea, correct irresponsible and indecisive acts in handling violations. Resolutely prevent fishing vessels in the province from violating illegal fishing in foreign waters.
Regularly review, compile statistics, and put under special management and monitoring fishing vessels at high risk of violating foreign waters and closely monitor and manage captains and fishermen who have violated illegal fishing and were released by foreign countries to promptly detect and prevent re-offending. Continue to investigate, verify, and handle fishing vessels that have violated and been detained by foreign countries and organizations and individuals who have acted as brokers and liaisons to bring fishing vessels and fishermen to illegally exploit seafood in foreign waters according to regulations.
Strengthen the capacity of the fleet to inspect and control fishing vessel activities. 24/7 control of fishing vessels with a length of 15 meters or more that have installed VMS equipment on the fishing vessel monitoring system, and at the same time notify and remind the ship owner to promptly fix the problem of losing VMS signal connection when operating at sea. In addition, closely monitor the number of fishing vessels on shore that have not installed VMS, resolutely not allowing them to leave port to operate. Strengthen IUU control at fishing ports and fishing wharves, ensure traceability of aquatic products exploited for processing and export...
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