Take strong measures against IUU fishing, to work with the 4th European Commission

BTO-The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has just issued an urgent dispatch on urgently implementing strong measures to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, preparing to work with the 4th European Commission Inspection Delegation in October 2023.

The EC is expected to visit Vietnam for the 4th on-site inspection in October 2023, to prepare to receive and work with the EC Inspection Delegation to achieve the best results, determined to remove the "Yellow Card" warning; The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development requests the Chairmen of the People's Committees of coastal provinces and centrally-run cities to focus on leadership and direction to resolutely and synchronously implement key and urgent tasks and solutions from now until October 2023.

Strictly implement fishing vessel management (photo: N. Lan)

Accordingly, priority is given to allocating sufficient resources, continuing to seriously and effectively implement the Prime Minister's instructions in Decision No. 81/QD-TTg dated February 13, 2023; Decision No. 1077/QD-TTg dated September 14, 2022 approving the "Project on preventing and combating illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing until 2025"; Official Dispatch No. 265/CD-TTg dated April 17, 2023; instructions of the Head of the National Steering Committee on IUU; attaching the responsibility of heads of Party committees, authorities at all levels and relevant functional forces to specific results of the implementation of combating IUU fishing...

Focus on directing the implementation of strong measures to prevent and stop the situation of fishing vessels and fishermen violating illegal fishing in foreign waters. Investigate, verify, and thoroughly handle the situation of brokers and collusion to bring fishing vessels and fishermen to illegally exploit seafood in foreign waters. In addition, strictly implement the management of fishing vessels: Conduct a general inspection and review of the entire number of fishing vessels, grasp the current situation of fishing vessels (fishing vessels operating outside the province; fishing vessels not yet installed with VMS equipment...) to screen and classify to ensure monitoring and supervision of all activities of the fleet, handle violations according to the law; especially "3 no" fishing vessels.

autumn-fish-photo-n.-lan-13-.jpg — Implementing the confirmation and certification of the origin of exploited aquatic products to ensure legality. (Photo: N. Lan)

Strictly control fishing vessels entering and leaving ports, fishing vessels leaving/entering ports at border posts/stations; carry out registration, inspection, grant fishing licenses, fully update fishing vessel data into the national fisheries database (VNFishbase). Prevent and strictly handle unqualified fishing vessels, especially fishing vessels that do not comply with VMS regulations participating in fishing activities. In addition, carry out confirmation and certification of traceability of exploited aquatic products to ensure legality; organize specialized inspections and examinations of enterprises importing exploited aquatic materials for processing and export to the European market; strictly handle according to administrative and criminal laws organizations and individuals who intentionally violate or legalize export shipment documents.

Direct law enforcement forces to coordinate in launching peak periods of patrolling, inspecting, controlling, and sanctioning administrative violations in the fisheries sector; especially focusing on strictly and thoroughly handling cases of illegal fishing in foreign waters, violations of VMS regulations... Regularly inspect, examine, and seriously review and handle the responsibilities of organizations and individuals who fail to fulfill their assigned duties and tasks. Before September 30, 2023, report the results of anti-IUU fishing to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (through the Department of Fisheries Surveillance) for synthesis and reporting to the Prime Minister, Head of the National Steering Committee on IUU.

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