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| Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh chaired the Conference on combating illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUU). |
On the afternoon of August 28, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh chaired a conference to evaluate the results of the fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, preparing to welcome and work with the 5th Inspection Delegation of the European Commission (EC); determined to remove the EC's IUU "yellow card".
The conference took place online between the Government headquarters and 28 coastal provinces and centrally run cities. Attending the conference were members of the National Steering Committee on IUU; leaders of ministries, branches, central agencies and 28 coastal provinces and centrally run cities; and leaders of seafood production and export associations.
* Difficulty in removing IUU "yellow card" warning
The conference assessed that after nearly 7 years of combating IUU fishing, removing the EC's "yellow card" warning, implementing Directive No. 32-CT/TW dated April 10, 2024 of the Secretariat, Resolution No. 52/NQ-CP dated April 22, 2024 of the Government, the Prime Minister's direction and through 4 inspections of the EC, the situation of combating IUU fishing has achieved some remarkable results.
In particular, the legal framework has been completed; the voyage monitoring equipment (VMS) has been installed; the national fisheries database (VNFishbase) has been built; imported aquatic products have been controlled according to the provisions of the Port State Measures Agreement (PSMA); law enforcement and sanctions for IUU fishing violations have been strengthened more than before... The EC highly appreciates Vietnam's political determination, especially the attention and drastic direction of the Central level.
Along with handling IUU fishing violations, provincial leaders said that, implementing Resolution No. 04/2024/NQ-HDTP of the Supreme People's Court guiding the application of a number of provisions of the Penal Code on criminal prosecution for acts related to illegal exploitation, trading, and transportation of aquatic products, localities have initiated 11 criminal cases and are investigating 3 cases with signs of violating criminal law...
However, the direction and implementation at the local level still have many limitations, leading to some tasks moving slowly, not meeting the requirements according to the EC's recommendations in the 4th inspection in October 2023. That is, the registration and issuance of fishing licenses have not been completed, and the "3 no" fishing vessels have not been controlled and handled thoroughly: no registration, no inspection, no license; the situation of disconnection of fishing vessel monitoring devices (VMS) still occurs. The situation of Vietnamese fishing vessels and fishermen violating illegal fishing in foreign waters has not ended.
The conference noted that some localities have not been really determined in enforcing the law in the field of combating IUU fishing. Some organizations and individuals have loosened management, allowing fishing vessels to enter and exit ports and docks without ensuring procedures, documents, and equipment according to regulations; and lack of determination in preventing and handling IUU fishing acts...
Delegates said that the above shortcomings and limitations are not only due to people's awareness but also due to the lack of spirit and responsibility of a number of organizations and individuals who have not fulfilled their assigned duties and tasks; lack of determination in leadership, direction and management of heads of sectors and levels; lack of proper attention, lack of inspection, supervision; and the situation of connivance and support of law enforcement forces for IUU fishing...
The conference stated 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".
Sharing concerns about combating IUU fishing and overcoming the IUU “yellow card”, concluding the conference, the Prime Minister highly appreciated the ministries, branches and localities for actively combating IUU fishing; agreed with the frank opinions, close assessment of the situation as well as proposals to strictly handle violations and promptly overcome the IUU “yellow card”.
Pointing out 5 limitations and weaknesses in combating IUU fishing, the Prime Minister frankly pointed out that the management and enforcement of laws on combating IUU fishing in state management agencies, Party committees and authorities at all levels, especially at the grassroots level, are not strict and do not fulfill their responsibilities; requiring strict handling of the responsibilities of leaders, including the Secretaries of Provincial and Municipal Party Committees, according to Directive No. 32-CT/TW dated April 10, 2024 of the Secretariat.
The EC Inspection Delegation will visit Vietnam for the fifth inspection in October 2024. In order to prepare to receive and work with the EC Inspection Delegation to achieve the best results and soon remove the "yellow card" warning, the Prime Minister requested the heads of relevant central and local departments, ministries, branches to unify awareness, focus on leadership, direction, and take drastic actions to carry out the task of combating IUU fishing, and promptly complete the overcoming of the shortcomings and limitations as mentioned above.
In particular, thoroughly grasp the contents, tasks and instructions of the Secretariat in Directive No. 32-CT/TW, Resolution No. 52/NQ-CP of the Government to ensure progress; lead, direct and organize the serious and effective implementation of tasks; attach responsibility to the heads of Party committees, authorities at all levels and functional forces.
The Prime Minister requested to concentrate resources to prevent and stop fishing vessels from illegally exploiting in foreign waters, especially in the provinces of Kien Giang, Ca Mau, Binh Dinh, etc.; to strengthen the police and border guards to coordinate with local authorities in key areas to propagate and mobilize, promptly detect and prevent early and from a distance fishing vessels and fishermen intending to illegally exploit in foreign waters.
At the same time, effectively implement the provisions of Resolution No. 04/2024/NQ-HDTP dated June 12, 2024 of the Council of Judges of the Supreme People's Court on guiding the application of a number of provisions of the Penal Code on criminal prosecution for acts related to illegal exploitation, trading and transportation of aquatic products; investigate, prosecute, prosecute and strictly try 100% of cases related to sending fishing vessels and fishermen to illegally exploit in foreign waters; disconnect, send, transport VMS equipment, brokerage, connection and serious violations as prescribed in Resolution No. 04/2024/NQ-HDTP.
* Strongly handle violations of IUU fishing
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| Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh chaired the Conference on combating illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUU). |
The Prime Minister assigned the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development - the Standing Office of the National Steering Committee on Combating IUU Fishing to establish a specialized working group to continue organizing working groups to inspect and supervise the implementation of regulations against IUU fishing. At the same time, monitor, urge, guide and promptly report on the results of the implementation of the task of combating IUU fishing; advise and propose to the Government and the Prime Minister to strictly handle the responsibilities of relevant organizations, individuals and functional forces that do not fulfill their assigned duties and tasks, condone and assist IUU fishing.
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 working session with the 5th EC Inspection Delegation; carefully prepare the best solutions to ensure that there is no passiveness or surprise that could affect the country's efforts to remove the "yellow card" warning.
The Ministry of National Defense continues to strengthen patrols, inspections and controls in sea areas bordering other countries to prevent and promptly handle fishing vessels showing signs of illegal fishing in foreign waters; direct border guards to strictly control fishing vessels entering and leaving ports; resolutely and strictly discipline border posts and stations along the sea so that fishing vessels that are not qualified to enter or leave ports participate in fishing activities, and that affiliated functional forces condone and assist IUU fishing.
The Ministry of Public Security directs the police force to urgently investigate, prosecute and try organizations and individuals involved in brokerage, collusion to bring fishing vessels and fishermen to illegally exploit in foreign waters; sending and transporting VMS equipment on other fishing vessels to violate illegal exploitation. At the same time, preside over and coordinate with Khanh Hoa, Ba Ria-Vung Tau, Binh Dinh and related localities to continue investigating and strictly handling in accordance with the law organizations and individuals involved in the act of legalizing documents for export shipments to the European market that the EC discovered during the 4th inspection in October 2023.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs directs Vietnamese embassies in relevant countries to promptly collect information on the arrest and handling of Vietnamese fishing vessels and fishermen by host countries for illegal fishing, and promptly provide information to domestic authorities for investigation and strict punishment according to regulations.
The Ministry of Justice urgently studies and advises on supplementing the authority to sanction administrative violations in the field of fisheries for the Heads of Sub-Departments under the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development with the function of state management of fisheries or performing functions and tasks of fisheries control according to the provisions of law, and completes the report to the Prime Minister in September 2024.
The Ministry of Information and Communications shall preside over and coordinate with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and relevant ministries, branches and localities to clarify responsibilities and strictly handle units providing VMS equipment and satellite services for VMS equipment on fishing vessels that do not comply with regulations. The Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Planning and Investment shall continue to prioritize and allocate funds and capital sources according to regulations for ministries, branches and localities to carry out tasks of combating IUU fishing, removing the "Yellow Card" warning, and sustainably developing the fisheries sector; changing occupations, creating jobs and livelihoods for fishermen.
In particular, the Prime Minister requested the Secretaries of Provincial and Municipal Party Committees and Chairmen of People's Committees of coastal provinces and centrally run cities to directly lead and direct the work of combating IUU fishing.
In particular, review all IUU fishing violations since the 4th inspection until now, focusing first on cases of disconnecting, sending, transporting VMS equipment, crossing maritime boundaries; brokerage, collusion, illegal fishing violations in foreign waters... Continue to investigate, verify, resolutely punish violations; complete and report implementation results in September 2024.
Localities focus maximum resources, mobilize and strengthen local forces, especially local authorities (communes/wards/towns) in key areas, closely coordinate with border guards and police to both propagate and mobilize, and promptly prevent and handle early and remotely fishing boats and fishermen who intend to violate, especially in Kien Giang, Ca Mau, Binh Dinh, Ba Ria Vung Tau...
Localities urgently complete the work of fleet management, registration, inspection, issuance of fishing licenses, marking of fishing vessels, issuance of certificates of facilities meeting food safety and hygiene conditions for fishing vessels, thoroughly handling "3 no" fishing vessels; handling the responsibilities of relevant organizations and individuals who are late in issuing fishing licenses to fishing vessels according to regulations; strictly controlling fishing vessels entering and leaving ports, and monitoring the output of exploited aquatic products.
At the same time, resolutely handle the responsibility of the Fishing Port Management Board and the Fisheries Inspection and Control Office at the fishing port for fishing vessels violating IUU fishing entering and leaving the port, unloading exploited aquatic products without verification and handling according to regulations; continue to review and strictly implement the work of confirming and certifying the traceability of exploited aquatic products; resolutely handle criminal acts of legalizing documents for export shipments to the European market.
Associations, Unions and seafood enterprises must strictly implement IUU regulations; strictly prohibit the purchase, processing and export of seafood products originating from IUU fishing; strictly prohibit the act of colluding with relevant organizations and individuals to legalize documents for IUU fishing products for export to the European market. Relevant parties must proactively coordinate closely with competent authorities in investigating, verifying and strictly and thoroughly handling organizations, individuals and seafood enterprises that do illegal business, legalize documents, assist and condone IUU acts; continue to accompany and encourage members to set good examples and properly implement regulations on preventing and combating IUU fishing; promptly encourage typical examples, good people and good deeds; promptly reflect and denounce IUU fishing violations.
Wishing to raise people's awareness and not engage in IUU fishing for the benefit and honor of the nation, the country and the people themselves, the Prime Minister requested press agencies to strengthen communication and mobilize people and businesses to properly implement regulations on preventing and combating IUU fishing; promptly set examples of good people and good deeds; promptly reflect and criticize IUU fishing violations.
The Prime Minister directed ministries, sectors, localities, relevant agencies, especially leaders, and the entire political system to continue to seriously implement the instructions of the Secretariat, the Government, and the Prime Minister on combating IUU fishing with three key tasks. These are to closely monitor and manage fleets, not to allow IUU fishing violations, and to thoroughly handle "3 no" fishing vessels; to review, classify, and strictly handle individuals and groups that violate Party regulations and State laws, with the viewpoint that administrative violations will be handled administratively and criminal violations will be handled criminally; to step up inspection, examination, supervision, and traceability to the end to have a basis for handling the right people and the right work according to Party regulations and State laws.
With the motto of "don't say no, don't say difficult, don't say yes but don't do; once you're on the battlefield, you have to win", for the responsibility and honor of the country, for the legitimate and legal rights and interests of the subjects, the Prime Minister emphasized that if any locality does not have changes in implementing the task of combating IUU fishing in the coming time, continues to let violations occur, and fails to complete assigned tasks, the Secretaries of the Provincial Party Committees, City Party Committees, and Chairmen of the People's Committees of coastal provinces and centrally run cities must be responsible before the Secretariat, the Government, and the Prime Minister according to the direction in Directive No. 32-CT/TW of the Secretariat, Resolution No. 52/NQ-CP of the Government./.
![[Photo] Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh chairs Government Conference with localities on economic growth](https://vstatic.vietnam.vn/vietnam/resource/IMAGE/2025/2/21/f34583484f2643a2a2b72168a0d64baa)
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