Lifting IUU 'yellow card', demonstrating Vietnam's genuine intention and action towards the EC

On the afternoon of August 31st, Phung Duc Tien, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development and Deputy Head of the esteemed National Steering Committee for the Eradication of Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing, steered a consequential conclave of the IUU Implementation Task Force. Within this forum, Deputy Minister Tien articulated a compelling directive—an imperative to effectuate substantial measures. This directive aims to demonstrate, upon the forthcoming scrutiny of the European Commission, the unwavering commitment and palpable strides of Vietnam in the resolute pursuit of rectitude.

Mr. Duong Van Cuong, Deputy Director of the Fisheries Surveillance Department, stated that following the directions of Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang at the conference to promote solutions against IUU fishing, in preparation for receiving and working with the Inspection Delegation of the EC for the fourth time, the provincial People's Committees of 28 coastal provinces and centrally-run cities need to concentrate all available resources on strictly implementing and completing the assigned tasks as stipulated in Decision No. 81/QD-TTg and Official Dispatch No. 265/CD-TTg of the Prime Minister. During the period from now until October 2023, the focus will be on urgent and pivotal tasks and solutions, such as preventing instances of local fishing vessels and fishermen violating IUU fishing in foreign waters.

Conduct a comprehensive review of the total number of fishing vessels in the local area, cross-reference data between reports and the National Fisheries Database (VNFishbase); focus on controlling 100% of fishing vessels with a length of 15 meters or more entering and exiting ports; inspect fishing vessels entering and leaving ports, monitor 100% of the province's harvested aquatic production as per regulations, especially for vessels with a length of 15 meters or more…

Simultaneously, continue to implement peak patrols, inspections, and controls in overlapping maritime areas between Vietnam and neighboring countries, especially Malaysia; conclusively resolve the cases of two imported fishing vessels as recommended by the EC in the third inspection; conclusively address the recommendations of the EC in the third inspection regarding the confirmation of swordfish species at the mechanical fishing port within the province of Ba Ria – Vung Tau and related enterprises; verify and address cases of fishing vessels with a length of 24 meters or more that violate the regulations on disconnecting Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) devices...

Speaking at the meeting, Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien emphasized that from now until October 2023, prior to the EC's fourth inspection on IUU, it is essential to finalize two legal normative documents: Government Decree No. 26/2019/ND-CP detailing certain articles and measures for implementing the Fisheries Law, and Government Decree No. 42/2019/ND-CP stipulating administrative penalties in the fisheries sector.

This rigorous approach is being extended to all 28 provinces and cities, necessitating the accumulation of precise data from each regional entity regarding the intricate matter of VMS installation or disconnection. By doing so, authorities will be equipped to deploy robust measures aimed at rectifying instances of non-compliance, thereby ensuring a more responsible maritime environment.

The commitment to robust oversight extends beyond this single concern. There is a steadfast commitment to meticulously verify, certify, and trace the provenance of harvested aquatic resources. Moreover, an unequivocal prohibition has been placed on the practice of legalizing records for the purpose of legitimizing export consignments, further emphasizing the dedication to accountability in the domain of fisheries.

A specific instance that underscores the dedication to rectification is the directive to Khanh Hoa province. They are required to definitively address the issues related to two imported fishing vessels, in accordance with the recommendations from the EC during their third inspection. This is a prelude to the impending fourth inspection by the EC inspection team.

In the larger context, Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien has articulated the overarching objective succinctly. The seriousness of the commitment to addressing these concerns is highlighted in his assertion that actions must be taken with a profound sense of responsibility, as the impending EC inspection should reflect Vietnam's genuine resolve and tangible progress. This emphasis on genuine commitment and tangible action reflects the sincere dedication to upholding regulations and preserving the integrity of aquatic resources.