On the afternoon of February 20, 2023, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development hosted an online conference to announce the “Action Plan to Combat Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing, Standard Work with the 4th European Commission (EC) Inspection Delegation . ” according to Resolution No. 81/QD-TTg of February 13, 2023.

STOP ILLEGAL FISHING OF SEAFOOD

Mr Nguyen Quang Hung, director of the Department of Fisheries Control, said that after 5 years, the European Commission (EC) warned of a “yellow card” (dated October 23, 2017) for Vietnam’s fishing activities and has confirmed that Vietnam’s procedures for removal yellow card is on the right track and is improving positively.

Relevant departments, ministries, branches and central coastal provinces and cities, under the leadership of the Standing Committee of the Secretariat, have organized the implementation of tasks and solutions to combat IUU fishing, implemented the EC recommendations and removed the “Yellow Warning” card” . , the Prime Minister and the National Steering Committee on IUU.

So far, however, the European Commission has not removed the “yellow card” for Vietnam’s seafood, but has continued to make many recommendations for implementation. On February 13, 2023, Vice Premier Tran Luu Quang signed Resolution No. 81/QD-TTg promulgating the “Action Plan to Combat Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing, Preparing for Cooperation with the 4th Inspection Delegation of the European Commission” .

The plan aims to implement fisheries legislation in a synchronous, effective and efficient manner; Overcome shortcomings and limitations according to EC recommendations on anti-IUU declaration, lifting of “yellow card” warning in 2023.

In order to achieve the above goal, the plan sets out tasks for the relevant ministries, branches and municipalities from now until May 2023 to check the total number of local fishing boats and to provide statistical information, complete the registration, registration, labeling of Fishing vessels, issuance of fishing licenses, installation of Fishing Vessel Monitoring Devices (VMS) according to regulations.

Also, update 100% of fishing vessel data in the National Fisheries Database (VNFishbase); Establish a list of non-fishing vessels and vessels at high risk of violating IUU fishing and submit this list to the relevant authorities and assign specific units and individuals for monitoring and management.

cessation of illegal fishing activities in foreign waters; Investigating and processing 100% of cases of illegal fishing in foreign waters and information in the mass media…

NEED TO FURTHER DISCLOSURE FISHING VESSELS

At the conference, Binh Dinh provincial representative said that immediately after receiving the deficiency before the Prime Minister and the National Steering Committee on IUU on permitting fishing vessels to infringe foreign waters, local leaders issued instructions to closely monitor the coordination and to reinforce neighboring locations in fleet management.

Mr. Le Quoc Anh, vice chairman of the People’s Committee of Kien Giang Province, said that Kien Giang is the province with the largest number of ships in the country, 9,800 ships (equivalent to 10% of the country’s ships), of which 3,805 ships are obsolete 15 meters. The province also ranks first for IUU fishing violations, with 11 cases in 2022, arresting 17 vessels and 154 fishermen.

Mr Le Quoc Anh addressed the difficulty when the State Department announced a ship had been detained when it crashed into foreign waters, the locality had to investigate, process evidence and collect, but your country’s side provided none, if any available. There is no original, so it will be difficult to sanction in court. So far, only 1 ship has been seized out of 51 offending ships.

As a place where fishing vessels frequently violate foreign waters, a Ben Tre provincial official said, “At present, one of the reasons leading many fishing vessels to violate foreign waters is because the sea near the coast of Vietnam is the fish assumed performance and quality are low. Therefore, Ben Tre province supports the policy to reduce the number of fishing boats in the near future.”

Mr. Huynh Quoc Viet, chairman of the Ca Mau Provincial People’s Committee, said that so far in the province, 100% of the operating fishing vessels of 15 meters in length or more have been equipped with voyage monitoring equipment. However, there is still a situation where fishing vessels have installed cruise monitoring devices that have lost connection signals and catch statistics of fisheries production.

The Chairman of the Ca Mau Provincial People’s Committee suggested that the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development should investigate, propose or publish regulations on independent agencies and organizations with the task of determining the cause of the shutdown of VMS equipment, according to its competence. Cruise Control Device Regulations Coming Soon; Regulations for the detection of administrative offenses by means and professional technical equipment in the fishing sector for handling.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Phung Duc Tien, who chaired the conference, said the “yellow card” severely affected seafood exports. Seafood export to Europe used to take only 1-3 days, now 2-3 weeks. Not only that, it also influences the position of Vietnamese seafood in the international arena. If the yellow card is not removed, it will affect fishermen’s lives, the fishing industry and the country’s position.

The Deputy Minister stressed: Decision No. 81/QD-TTg shows the determination in implementing the 180-day peak action plan against IUU fishing and removes the yellow card when the EC completes the 4th inspection in May, June carried out in 2023.

“It is necessary to remember a whole time when our law enforcement was not strict and effectiveness was still low. Meanwhile, Vietnam is increasingly integrating into the world economy and becoming a link in the global distribution and supply chain of agricultural, forestry and fisheries products. Therefore, there is no other way, we must strictly enforce the international regulations and aim for sustainable exploitation,” said Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien.

“More importantly, Vietnam’s cancellation of the yellow card not only brings economic efficiency, but also confirms its position as a reliable, responsible and respected partner in the international market,” said a head of the Ministry of Finance at the same time proposing places to buy resources, facilities, equipment as well as equipment and people focus; must appeal to fishermen, raise awareness, put national interests first and show the greatest determination to remove the yellow card.