Deputy Prime Minister: completing the VMS system to lift IUU yellow card

The Government Office recently issued Announcement No. 371/TB-VPCP on August 10, 2024, which summarized Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang's conclusions on measures to address limitations in the the vessel monitoring system (VMS).

The announcement highlighted recent positive changes in the improvement, management, and operation of the vessel monitoring system. Additionally, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang commended the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, VMS technology service providers, and relevant agencies for their efforts.

With the goal of lifting the European Commission's "yellow card" on illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing by 2024, stakeholders must focus on improving and effectively operating the vessel monitoring system across all administrative levels. This initiative requires efficient task optimization and concerted efforts from relevant parties.

Accordingly, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development will assume the leading role and coordinate with the Ministry of Information and Communications, the Ministry of Defense, and other relevant agencies to address technical issues; complete the vessel monitoring system; ensure data detection and connection; promote information sharing activities; and provide updates on the management of fishing vessels that violated regulations. These tasks must be completed by August 20, 2024.

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development will issue a decision to establish an Inter-sectoral Working Group with participation from relevant ministries to provide consultation, address technical issues, and guide the implementation of VMS regulations. The Working Group will report directly to the National Steering Committee on IUU Fishing with regards to issues outside its scope of authority.

Additionally, the Ministry of Information and Communications is responsible for coordinating with relevant agencies to conduct inspections of equipment and service providers, thereby maintaining the quality of equipment and satellite services for the vessel monitoring system. On the other hand, service providers must ensure VMS connectivity for all devices during the peak season, which lasts until the conclusion of the European Commission's fifth inspection in Vietnam.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will provide information on Vietnam's maritime boundaries with neighboring countries in compliance with regulations, allowing the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to guide fishermen in legal seafood exploitation in compliance with Vietnamese and international laws. These tasks must be completed by August 15, 2024.

The Ministry of Public Security will instruct the local police to strictly enforce regulations as per Resolution No. 04 of the Supreme People's Court. Moreover, they are responsible for guiding the application of the Criminal Code on prosecuting illegal fishing, trading, and transportation activities.

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang has also requested the Ministry of Defense to enhance monitoring and control of VMS connectivity through border posts and patrol stations; and to strictly handle non-compliant fishing vessels.

Coastal provinces and municipalities must review and upgrade technical equipment, IT infrastructure for VMS operation at local fisheries management agencies and fishing ports. These tasks must be completed by August 31, 2024.

Chairpersons of coastal provincial and municipal People's Committees are responsible for establishing Inter-sectoral Working Groups to operate the vessel monitoring system; monitor, detect, receive, and verify information; handle violations; and update results at the local level.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development is responsible for providing instructions and reporting on VMS implementation results to Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang, Head of the National Steering Committee on IUU Fishing.

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang and Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Minh Hoan chaired a meeting on August 7 with the Vessel Monitoring Center to discuss solutions to limitations in the vessel monitoring system. The meeting saw the participation of leaders from the Fisheries Surveillance, the Directorate of Fisheries, and representatives from the Ministries of Public Security, Defense, Foreign Affairs, and Information and Communications.

According to a report from MARD, the Ministry, as the permanent agency of the National Steering Committee on IUU, sent a delegation to Belgium to meet the Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (DG MARE), which is a part of the European Commission, from April 22 to April 26. The delegation aimed to address the issue of illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing activities and discuss the removal of the EC's "yellow card". Additionally, the delegation provided a report on the implementation results of the EC's recommendations after the fourth inspection in October 2023.

The Commission acknowledged and commended Vietnam's efforts in implementing its recommendations after the fourth inspection in October 2023. Namely, Vietnam made significant progress in completing its legal framework, improving fishing fleets, enhancing origin traceability, and strengthening penalties for illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing violations.