Prevent and promptly handle fishing vessels showing signs of illegal exploitation in foreign waters.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has just concluded on the issue of combating illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

The Prime Minister requested to promptly prevent and handle fishing vessels showing signs of illegal exploitation in foreign waters.

The conclusion stated that, to date, the implementation of the fight against IUU fishing has had positive changes, achieving specific results. However, there are still many unfinished tasks, some shortcomings and limitations have not been thoroughly resolved, especially the EC's recommendations.

In particular, the disconnection of fishing vessel monitoring devices (VMS) has not been effectively prevented and continues to occur in large numbers; fishing vessels operating in the wrong areas occurs frequently; registration and issuance of fishing licenses for all fishing vessels have not been completed; and the "3 no's" fishing vessels have not been thoroughly controlled and handled: no registration, no inspection, no fishing license...

The Prime Minister said that if current shortcomings and limitations are not promptly overcome and regulations against IUU fishing are not seriously implemented, it will be difficult to remove the "Yellow Card" warning, and the warning may even be raised to a "Red Card".

To achieve the goal of removing the "Yellow Card" warning after the 5th inspection by the EC Inspection Team (expected in October), the Prime Minister requested to focus on prioritizing the allocation of resources to prevent and end the situation of fishing vessels illegally exploiting seafood in foreign waters; especially in the provinces of Kien Giang, Ca Mau, Binh Dinh...

The Ministry of Public Security and the Ministry of National Defense proactively coordinate closely with localities to investigate, prosecute, prosecute, and strictly try 100% of cases related to sending fishing vessels and fishermen to illegally exploit in foreign waters; disconnecting, sending, transporting VMS equipment, brokerage, connection, and other serious violations.

The Ministry of Public Security directed the police of all forces and the police of 28 coastal provinces and cities to urgently investigate and prosecute organizations and individuals involved in brokerage and collusion to bring fishing vessels and fishermen to illegally exploit seafood in foreign waters, and violations in the installation, management and use of VMS equipment for illegal seafood exploitation.

The Prime Minister assigned the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (the standing agency of the National Steering Committee on IUU) to continue organizing inter-sectoral working groups to inspect and supervise the implementation of regulations against IUU fishing; monitor, urge and guide localities in performing tasks against IUU fishing; and report monthly to the Prime Minister on implementation results.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development shall preside over and coordinate with ministries, branches and localities to develop and carefully prepare the program, plan and overall content of the 5th EC Inspection Delegation; carefully prepare the best guaranteed plans, not to be passive or surprised, affecting the country's efforts to remove the "Yellow Card" warning.

The Prime Minister assigned the Ministry of National Defense to decide on the establishment of a specialized working group to prevent and thoroughly handle the situation of Vietnamese fishing vessels illegally exploiting seafood in foreign waters; focus on directing, increasing patrols, inspections and controls in the sea areas bordering Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia... to promptly prevent and handle fishing vessels showing signs of illegal exploitation in foreign waters.

Localities have reviewed all IUU fishing violations since the fourth EC inspection, focusing first on handling cases of disconnecting, sending, and transporting VMS equipment, crossing maritime boundaries; brokerage, collusion, and illegal fishing violations in foreign waters...

Localities continue to investigate, verify, and resolutely punish (100%) violations; complete and report to the Prime Minister the implementation results in September.

Localities promptly prevent and handle early and remotely fishing boats and fishermen who intend to violate, especially in the provinces of Kien Giang, Ca Mau, Binh Dinh, Ba Ria - Vung Tau...

Regarding the provinces of Kien Giang, Binh Dinh, and Ca Mau, which have continued to allow local fishing vessels to illegally exploit in foreign waters since the beginning of 2024, the Prime Minister requested a serious review to be conducted, clearly identifying the responsibilities of the heads of relevant agencies and functional forces; completing and reporting the results to the Prime Minister in September.

PHAN THAO

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/ngan-chan-xu-ly-kip-thoi-tau-ca-co-dau-hieu-vi-pham-khai-thac-bat-hop-phap-o-vung-bien-nuoc-ngoai-post756749.html