From August 1, heavy fines for violations of fisheries exploitation

Some fishing activities that were previously only subject to administrative penalties will be subject to criminal prosecution from August 1.

In the first 6 months of the year, the situation of fishing boats and fishermen being arrested and handled by foreign countries remained complicated. (Illustration photo - Photo: NLĐ)

This is to create deterrence against violations and demonstrate Vietnam's efforts to remove the European Commission's (EC) yellow card on seafood.

The Department of Fisheries Surveillance - Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) said that in the first 6 months of the year, the situation of fishing vessels and fishermen being arrested and handled by foreign countries remained complicated, and the forms of violations became increasingly sophisticated. The number of serious violations according to regulations has not been thoroughly handled, ensuring deterrence. Up to now, 4/28 coastal provinces and cities have not yet completed their local fisheries surveillance forces...

During the inspections, the EC affirmed that the prerequisite for Vietnam to remove the yellow card on fisheries is to end the situation of fishing vessels violating foreign waters.

The Fisheries Department said that to prevent this situation, from August 1, it will strictly punish illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing activities.

Resolution 04 of the Supreme People's Court has just provided guidance, including 11 articles applying 10 articles of the Penal Code, as a legal basis for agencies conducting proceedings to strictly handle cases of illegal exploitation in foreign waters.

Specifically, the authorities will prosecute criminal liability for acts of illegally leaving the country to exploit aquatic resources outside Vietnamese waters; organizing or brokering for others to enter or exit the country; and fishermen illegally exploiting aquatic resources outside foreign waters. Acts of exploiting aquatic resources in violation of regulations on the protection of aquatic resources; exploiting, trading, and transporting endangered, precious, and rare aquatic products; smuggling, illegally transporting aquatic products, and using fraudulent tricks to buy and sell aquatic products.

Fishermen who violate regulations on management and use of fishing vessel monitoring equipment for the purpose of illegal fishing; falsify or use fake documents or seals of agencies and organizations to illegally exploit, trade, or transport aquatic products will be prosecuted.

The subjects to be tried are the masterminds, brokers, organizers of illegal entry and exit for fishing, and repeat offenders. Foreigners who illegally use fishing vessels in Vietnamese waters will be prosecuted.

From now until September and October, the Fisheries Control Department believes that by all means, we must prevent and minimize the situation of fishing vessels violating foreign waters, and resolutely and thoroughly handle violating fishing vessels... If the situation improves, by October, the EC will consider inspecting Vietnam's work to remove the fifth yellow card.

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