EU Ambassador to Vietnam: Time has come to lift the IUU 'yellow card'

On April 4, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Minh Hoan, welcomed and held discussions with Mr. Julien Guerrier, Ambassador of the EU Delegation to Vietnam. This marks their first official meeting since the MAR and the European delegation reviewed Vietnam's efforts in combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing in October 2023.

Minister Le Minh Hoan emphasized the significance of addressing the 'yellow card' for IUU fishing, highlighting it as a focal point for the industry. He stated, "This presents an opportunity for the fishing industry to transition from small-scale, individual fisheries to responsibly managed fisheries. Removing the IUU yellow card is not only an urgent requirement for Vietnam, but also fosters sustainable aquaculture and fishing practices, demonstrating the country's commitment and upholding Vietnam's reputation on the international stage." Minister Le Minh Hoan expressed gratitude towards the EU delegation for their consistent interest and support on this matter.

Ambassador Julien Guerrier from the European Union commended Vietnam's proactive approach, particularly its efforts to enhance the capacity of the fishing community and modernize the longstanding traditional production industry.

In April 2024, Vietnam faces a critical period for lifting Europe's "yellow card" warning. Ambassador Guerrier welcomed the measures and solutions proposed by the MARD for the comprehensive implementation of IUU fishing combat tasks, in line with the Vietnamese Government's guidance.

In the coming days, the Ministry plans to dispatch a delegation led by Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien to Brussels, Belgium, to discuss the upcoming inspection trip to Vietnam with the European Commission (EC) and gather the necessary information.

Mr. Guerrier suggested that the MARD furnish a comprehensive report detailing progress in meeting European requirements. Some of the recommendations put forth by the EC during the 4th inspection include ensuring the accuracy of fishing vessel data in VNFishbase and establishing a mechanism to monitor and prompt localities to update the database of fishery materials under regulations. Additionally, there's a need to review the process of handling the disconnection of vessel monitoring systems (VMS) and to impose sanctions on all instances of violating VMS regulations.

The EU Ambassador underscored: "Vietnam must enhance its legal framework at the provincial level and simultaneously equip necessary tools for fishing vessel management. We have reached a stage where we can revoke the IUU yellow card for Vietnam. Still, the responsibility lies with you to demonstrate to the world your commitment to transparent and legal control of aquatic resources."

Delving deeper into the sustainable transformation direction of Vietnam's fisheries industry, Minister Le Minh Hoan elaborated on the National Program for the Protection and Development of Aquatic Resources until 2030, which was approved by the Prime Minister.

"The program aims to restore and utilize aquatic resources and ecosystems rationally and effectively, preserving biodiversity and the value of Vietnam's biological resources. Currently, the Ministry has drafted an implementation plan for this program and is finalizing it," the Minister stated.

The head of the Agriculture and Rural Development sector further shared that on April 1, the MARD collaborated with Quang Ninh province - renowned for its strength in aquaculture - to host a Conference on Sustainable Development of Aquaculture under the theme "Aquaculture for a Sustainable Future". This event reflects Vietnam's shift in production philosophy towards reducing exploitation and promoting aquaculture.

Recapping the discussions held between the MARD, local authorities, marine farming enterprises, and international representatives during the recent conference, Minister Le Minh Hoan stressed the "dual" objective of lifting the IUU yellow card: to provide livelihoods for fishermen while also resolving conflicts of interest in marine areas.

Minister Le Minh Hoan suggested that the EU enhance cooperation and support for Vietnam in developing a blue economy, with a particular focus on sustainable aquaculture and fisheries management, as well as the protection, restoration, and sustainable development of aquatic resources. Leveraging advanced European models, the Minister is confident that Vietnam can successfully transform the livelihoods of coastal fishing communities. Furthermore, efforts should be made to enhance the capacity for managing ocean plastic waste at fishing vessels and ports, and to improve the landscape and environment of community-based marine protected areas.