Removing the IUU "yellow card": combining propaganda and strict handling of violations

On June 17, speaking at an online conference with ministries, sectors and 28 coastal provinces and cities to deploy solutions to remove the IUU "yellow card" as recommended by the European Commission (EC), Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang - Head of the National Steering Committee on combating illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUU) requested to both step up propaganda and mobilization and strengthen strict handling of violations related to illegal fishing in foreign waters.

Many localities strengthen the fight against IUU fishing

Korea to cooperate to enhance Vietnam's capacity to respond to IUU

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang - Head of the National Steering Committee on IUU fishing delivered a speech at the conference (Photo: VNA).

According to the report of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (Standing Agency of the National Steering Committee on IUU): after nearly 7 years (since October 23, 2017) of carrying out the task of removing the "yellow card" warning of the European Commission (EC), the situation of combating IUU fishing has achieved some remarkable results. The whole country currently has 29,095 fishing vessels with a length of 15m or more. To date, 28,584 fishing vessels have installed voyage monitoring equipment in fishing and aquatic product exploitation, reaching a rate of 98.25%. Localities have increased patrolling and control work, organized 24/24-hour duty to monitor and supervise; reviewed the work of confirming and certifying the traceability of exploited aquatic products, and to date, no shipments exported to the European market have been found to violate IUU fishing.

Localities have reviewed the work of confirming and certifying the origin of exploited aquatic products; so far, no shipments exported to the European market have been found to violate IUU fishing. In particular, the work of verifying and handling IUU fishing has improved compared to before; 04 cases related to brokerage and collusion to bring fishing vessels and fishermen to illegally exploit in foreign waters have been prosecuted...

However, there are still some tasks that are changing very slowly, not meeting the requirements according to the EC's recommendations. The leaders in some localities have not really paid attention to the leadership and direction of the organization and implementation of the task of combating IUU fishing. The awareness of law enforcement of a part of fishermen, for personal economic interests, deliberately use all means to illegally exploit in foreign waters, the situation of brokers and collusion to bring fishing vessels and fishermen to illegally exploit in foreign waters has existed for many years, however, the results of investigation, prosecution, indictment and trial have not been timely, ensuring deterrence...

Speaking at the conference, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang highly appreciated the results achieved, and frankly pointed out the limitations in implementing measures to combat IUU fishing. He requested ministries, sectors and coastal localities to consider the implementation of measures to combat IUU fishing as an important task because it is related to the position and image of the country; strengthen inspection and strictly handle violations of the law during fishing at sea; step up propaganda so that fishermen understand the regulations in fishing and be resolute in controlling declaration and tracing the origin of seafood; strengthen inspection and supervision of facilities...

Propaganda against IUU fishing for fishermen in Ly Son island district

On May 2, the Command of Coast Guard Region 2 coordinated with the Quang Ngai Provincial Party Committee's Mass Mobilization Commission, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Border Guard and the Quang Ngai Provincial Police to meet, propagate and mobilize fishermen of Ly Son island district to prevent illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

Naval Region 5 informs more than 1,500 people in Ca Mau province about the situation of the sea and islands.

From May 21 to 24, the Naval Region 5 Command coordinated with the Propaganda Department of the Ca Mau Provincial Party Committee to organize information about the sea and islands in 3 districts: Ngoc Hien, Nam Can and Phu Tan.

Source: https://thoidai.com.vn/go-the-vang-iuu-ket-hop-giua-tuyen-truyen-va-xu-ly-nghiem-hanh-vi-vi-pham-201232.html