Putting into use the electronic traceability system

Recently, the European Commission (EC) inspection team conducted the 4th field inspection (from October 10-18) on combating illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Phung Duc Tien said that the EC inspection delegation continued to acknowledge and highly appreciate the efforts to combat IUU fishing, especially the political determination, attention and direction of the Government and the Prime Minister.

In addition, the delegation also assessed the positive changes, the right direction and the very close direction from the Central Government of Vietnam, agreeing that Vietnam's shift from private fishing to responsible fishing has had a positive change.

Regarding the legal framework, we basically agree with the draft of 2 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.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development will urgently put into use the Electronic Traceability System to control fishing vessels and aquatic products... (Photo: Diem Phuc)

However, the key issue in the implementation results in practice at the local level is still limited in monitoring, controlling, supervising fishing vessel activities, sanctioning IUU fishing violations, and sanctions against fraudulent businesses are not strict.

The EC 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.

During the inspection, the EC inspection team continued to recommend that Vietnam take strict measures to handle local organizations and individuals who do not fulfill their assigned duties and tasks, and businesses that conduct illegal business.

It is 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.

According to Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien, after this inspection, the Inspection Team will report to the EC's Directorate General for Marine and Fisheries Affairs, at which time there will be a conclusion on removing Vietnam's IUU yellow card.

However, from now until the next inspection (expected in May-June 2024), Deputy Minister Tien requested that leaders of coastal provinces and cities continue to closely direct, regularly, continuously and synchronously the solutions so that Vietnam can be able to remove the IUU yellow card.

Provinces with systems connected to VMS devices must be on duty 24/7 to detect early signs of vessels crossing the border or losing 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, the Deputy Minister said.

According to Mr. Tran Dinh Luan, Director of the Department of Fisheries, the implementation of the Electronic Seafood Traceability System for domestic fisheries involves stakeholders such as fishermen, fishing ports, seafood processing enterprises for export, and local and central authorities.

This system will manage ships leaving the port and record initial data about the ship and crew; record the catch at the time of fishing through an electronic logbook; manage ships entering the port, update catch; monitor the output at the port, issue receipts for loading and unloading, purchase fish at the port; issue confirmations and certificates of origin of raw materials for processing plants.

In the past, there were many shortcomings in controlling fishing vessels and the issue of tracing the origin of seafood, which significantly affected the removal of the IUU yellow card. Therefore, with the synchronous use of the Electronic Seafood Traceability System, information about seafood products is transparent, meeting market demand.

Peace of Mind

Binh Dinh focuses on removing IUU 'yellow card' Binh Dinh province focuses on strengthening inspection and control of fishing vessels, removing the IUU "yellow card" of the European Commission (EC).

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