Reinforcing the handling of IUU fishing violations

Four major challenges

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang signed and issued Directive No. 916/CD-TTg on October 4th, 2023. Accordingly, the directive urged stakeholders to focus on implementing urgent and key solutions to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, and prepare to receive the European Commission's fourth Inspection Team.

After nearly six years of implementing measures to combat IUU fishing in an attempt to lift the "yellow card" warning from the European Commission (EC), and three on-site inspections by the EC's Inspection Team, there have been positive developments in the implementation of anti-IUU fishing solutions.

However, following the third inspection by the EC in October 2022, it is evident that certain limitations persists in the implementation of EC's recommendations at the local level. Accordingly, these limitations failed to follow the directives promulgated by the Prime Minister, as well as the guidance provided by the National Steering Committee on anti-IUU fishing.

There are four major existing challenges to highlight, including: Continuing incidents of local fishing vessels and fishermen violating IUU fishing in foreign waters; Law enforcement and penalties for IUU fishing violations are not strict enough; Incomplete registration and licensing of seafood exploitation; Delay in the handling of findings by the EC during the third inspection with regards to fishing vessels, seafood export companies, and fish ports exhibiting signs of IUU violations.

Failure to expeditiously address the current state of IUU fishing violations not only risks the non-removal of the "yellow card" warning but also elevates the probability of receiving a "red card" warning. The foremost responsibility lies with the leadership at all levels of government, departments, sectors, and the enforcement agencies at the local level, who failed to fully discharge their duties of leadership, guidance, and effective implementation, in strict compliance with the directives issued by the Standing Secretariat of the Party Central Committee, the Government, and the Prime Minister.

In a resolute effort to address the "yellow card" warning issued during the fourth inspection by the European Commission from October 10 to October 18, and to prevent adverse impact on the development of the fisheries sector as well as the livelihoods of coastal communities, particularly in terms of mitigating harm to the nation's reputation and international standing, the Prime Minister has requested all relevant ministries, sectors, and local governments to assume the highest level of responsibility in response to this issue. Stakeholders are directed to take decisive corrective actions and focus on implementing the comprehensive solutions as previously instructed by the Prime Minister and the Head of the National Steering Committee on anti-IUU fishing.

Namely, in preparation for the fourth inspection by the EC's Inspection Team in Vietnam, it is imperative to mobilize resources and expeditiously address critical and urgent issues.

Firstly, the Prime Minister has tasked relevant ministries, sectors, and local governments with ensuring the allocation of necessary resources and funding for the prompt resolution of prevailing limitations and challenges. They are also instructed to prepare for receiving the EC's Inspection Team during their fourth visit.

The directive emphasizes a strict stance on handling any individuals or organizations that, for personal gain, deliberately engage in unlawful activities that adversely affect the national interests, the image of the country on the international stage, and the welfare of the Vietnamese people.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development is directed to continue organizing inspection teams, monitoring, guiding, and supporting local governments in the implementation of anti-IUU tasks. Additionally, the Ministry should be proactive in coordinating and assisting local governments in their engagement with the EC's Inspection Team to ensure positive outcomes.

During the EC Inspection Team's visit to Vietnam, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development should capitalize on every opportunity to explain and demonstrate the circumstances and determination of the Vietnam's  fisheries sector, as well as the efforts made by relevant Vietnamese agencies in combating IUU fishing. This approach aims to garner the EC Inspection Team's support for the removal of the "yellow card" warning during the fourth inspection.

Furthermore, the Ministry is responsible for leading and coordinating with relevant agencies in reporting the results to the Prime Minister after the EC's Inspection Team completes its task in Vietnam.

The Prime Minister also calls upon the Ministry of National Defense to continue implementing robust measures and prevent any recurrence of Vietnamese fishing vessels engaging in illegal seafood exploitation in foreign waters.

In addition, the directive directs relevant enforcement agencies to collaborate with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in facilitating the Inspection Team's procedures. They should also coordinate with the Ministry of National Defense to ensure that foreign vessels entering designated ports, as stipulated by the Port State Measures Agreement (PSMA), comply with the requirements as requested by the EC Inspection Team.

Enhanced coordination is required among border guard forces, port authorities at PSMA-compliant ports, and seafood management agencies at fishing ports to prepare for interactions with the EC Inspection Team.

Additionally, there should be a review and systematic storage of records to ensure consistency in data between the border guard forces and fishing ports at the local level. Timely provision of penalty records, as requested by the EC Inspection Team, and comprehensive updates of administrative violation handling results in the fisheries sector should be integrated into the monitoring and management software system.

Local key tasks

Regarding coastal provinces and cities, the Prime Minister calls for the focused leadership and strict adherence to legal regulations in the management of fishing vessels, registration, inspection, issuance of fishing permits, origin tracing of harvested aquatic products, and enforcement of the law.

Local governments are requested to monitor their entire fleet of fishing vessels; maintain daily updates on the status of vessels, particularly those with a minimum length of 15 meters that do not qualify for fishing activities. These information include vessel locations, vessel conditions, etc.

The border guard forces are directed to inspect and control the local and foreign fishing vessels, ensuring full compliance with regulations. Namely, VMS equipment on fishing vessels with a minimum length of 15 meters must be operational from the moment they leave the port until they return to the port.

All violations related to VMS must be investigated and promptly handled, with a focus on addressing violations by fishing vessels with a minimum length of 24 meters, as specified in the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development's announcement.

Furthermore, local governments are recommended to expedite the detailed planning, program development, and preparation of materials for receiving the EC's fourth inspection team. Accordingly, participants must thoroughly prepare documentation and related materials, provide logistical support, and assign specific tasks to relevant agencies to cooperate with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in cooperating with the EC's inspection team to achieve positive results. Furthermore, local governments must ensure absolute security and safety for the EC's inspection team during their time in Vietnam.