MARD requests 'taking strong measures' against IUU fishing

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development has sent an urgent Official Telegram to the Chairman of the People's Committees of coastal provinces and municipalities on urgently taking strong measures against illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, preparing for the 4th working session with the Inspection Delegation of the European Commission (EC) until October 2023.

According to the Official Telegram, in order to achieve the best results in the meeting and working session with the EC's Inspection Delegation (expected in October 2030), along with the determination to remove the "yellow card" warning, MARD (Standing Agency of the National Steering Committee on IUU) requested the Chairman of the People's Committees of coastal provinces and municipalities to focus on leading and directing the drastic and synchronous implementation of the key and urgent tasks and solutions from now until October 2023, including the following contents:

Prioritize allocating sufficient resources and continue to seriously and effectively implement the Prime Minister's directives in Decision No. 81/QD-TTg dated February 13, 2023, Decision No. 1077/QD-TTg dated September 14, 2022, and Official Telegram No. 265/CD-TTg dated April 17, 2023; the directives of the Head of the National Steering Committee on IUU; MARD’s direction and guidance in documents, inspection results of the situation against IUU fishing in the locality, and other relevant directing documents. Attach the responsibilities of the heads of the Committee levels, authorities at all levels, and relevant functional forces to the specific results of the implementation of combating IUU fishing.

Focus on directing the implementation of strong measures to prevent and stop fishing vessels and fishermen from violating illegal fishing in foreign waters; investigate, verify, and thoroughly handle the situation of brokers bringing fishing vessels and fishermen to fish illegally in foreign waters.

Strictly implement the work of managing fishing vessels. Specifically, conduct a general inspection and review of all fishing vessels and grasp the current status of fishing vessels (registered, licensed quantities; unregistered, unlicensed, or expired quantities; fishing vessels operating in areas outside the province; fishing vessels that have not yet installed VMS equipment, etc.). This action aims to screen and classify to ensure monitoring and supervision of the fleet’s entire operation and handle violations according to law provisions, especially "3 No" fishing vessels.

Strictly control fishing vessels entering and exiting the port and fishing vessels entering and exiting the wharf at border posts/stations; register, issue fishing licenses, and fully update fishing vessel data into the national fisheries database (VNFishbase); prevent and strictly handle ineligible fishing vessels, especially fishing vessels that do not comply with regulations on VMS engaged in fishing activities.

Carry out verification and certification of exploited seafood traceability to ensure legality; organize specialized inspection and examination of enterprises importing aquatic raw materials exploited for processing and exporting to the European market. Along with that, strictly handle administratively or criminally organizations and individuals that intentionally violate and legalize export shipment dossiers according to the provisions of the law; ensure 100% of fishing vessels dock at designated ports; and supervise 100% of locally exploited seafood output.

Direct law enforcement forces to coordinate in order to open peak patrols, inspection, control, and sanctioning of administrative violations in the fisheries sector. Especially, focus on strictly and thoroughly handling cases of violating illegal fishing in foreign waters, violating regulations on VMS, etc.

Allocate sufficient resources (human resources, funds, and equipment) for relevant functional forces in the locality to carry out the task of combating IUU fishing; arrange staff with capacity, qualifications, and a sense of responsibility; and have appropriate remuneration, encouragement, and reward mechanisms, policies, and regimes.

Implement EC's inspection conclusions at the 3rd inspection; request Khanh Hoa and Ba Ria-Vung Tau provinces and relevant localities to coordinate with MARD (Department of Fisheries) to investigate, verify, and strictly and thoroughly handle, according to the provisions of the law, two import fishing vessels violating IUU at Hai Vuong Company; export shipments violating IUU at Thinh Hung Co., Ltd., and T&H Nha Trang Co., Ltd.; vessel mechanical port violating IUU in issuing certificates of origin of exploited aquatic raw materials for 7 tons of swordfish to Thinh Hung Co., Ltd.; and other fishing ports (if similar violations are committed).

Regularly inspect, examine, seriously review, and handle the responsibilities of organizations and individuals that fail to fulfill their assigned responsibilities and tasks; before September 30, 2023, report the results of implementing anti-IUU fishing to the MARD (via the Department of Fisheries Resources Surveillance) to summarize and report to the Prime Minister, Head of the National Steering Committee on IUU, etc.