Removing IUU 'yellow card': Long-term development of transparent, responsible fisheries sector

Urgent and important task with long-term significance

The Central Party Committee organized a conference on April 22 in Hanoi to disseminate and implement Directive No. 32-CT/TW dated April 10, 2024, regarding the Party's strengthened leadership in combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing activities and promoting sustainable development of the fisheries sector.

Ms. Truong Thi Mai, member of the Politburo, Permanent Member of the Secretariat, and Head of the Central Organization Commission; Mr. Nguyen Trong Nghia, member of the Central Party Committee and Head of the Commission for Information and Education; Mr. Tran Luu Quang, member of the Central Party Committee and Deputy Prime Minister; Mr. Le Minh Hoan, member of the Central Party Committee and Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, co-chaired the conference.

At the conference, Minister Le Minh Hoan reported on the main contents of Directive No. 32/CT-

TW  issued by the Central Party Committee on April 10, 2024 on enhancing the Party's leadership in anti-IUU fishing efforts and promoting sustainable development of the fisheries sector.

Minister Le Minh Hoan stated: "Starting from 2017, the government and the National Steering Committee for anti-IUU fishing activities have made considerable efforts in implementing policies and regulations; constructing a monitoring, control, and surveillance system for fishing vessels; strengthening state management; and gradually reducing violations."

"However, the development of Vietnam's fisheries sector is not sustainable; the EC's 'yellow card' has not been removed; and we are still unable to fully comply with anti-IUU fishing regulations. The implementation of comprehensive fleet management and monitoring systems; updating national fishing vessel databases; traceability of seafood sources; building seafood production chains involving fishermen, businesses, and local governments; and addressing existing violations are limited," Minister Le Minh Hoan emphasized.

According to the Minister, the Central Party Committee's Directive No. 32 require all levels of Party committees, Party organizations, governments, the Vietnam Fatherland Front, and socio-political organizations to focus on implementing several urgent and important tasks, with the aim of enhancing anti-IUU fishing efforts and promoting sustainable development of the fisheries sector.

In this regard, it is important to acknowledge that anti-IUU fishing is an urgent and important task with long-term significance for the sustainable development of Vietnam's fisheries sector. Additionally, it is the shared responsibility of the government and society. Party committees, party organizations, and all levels of leadership across different sectors and regions are directly responsible for leading, guiding, and fostering unity and motivation to remove the IUU "yellow card" in 2024 and maintaining sustainable results. Consequently, this initiative aims to improve Vietnam's political and diplomatic relations, international stature, and socioeconomic development in addition to safeguarding its marine sovereignty.

"Despite numerous challenges, if we take decisive and comprehensive actions, we will see tangible results... It is necessary to focus on restructuring the fisheries sector towards transparency, sustainability; creating suitable livelihoods; and improving the quality of life for local fishermen and related workers in the long term," emphasized Ms. Truong Thi Mai.

Immediate, long-term tasks and solutions

At the conference, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang presented the Government's Action Program and Plan for Directive No. 32-CT/TW issued by the Central Party Committee on April 10, 2024 on enhancing the Party's leadership in anti-IUU fishing efforts and promoting sustainable development of the fisheries sector.

According to Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang, the goal of the Action Program and Plan is to designate anti-IUU fishing as an urgent and important task with long-term significance for the sustainable development of the fisheries sector; and the removal of the IUU 'yellow card' in 2024.

Accordingly, the Deputy Prime Minister highlighted seven key tasks and solutions to be implemented by May 2024 with regards to anti-IUU fishing and the removal of the IUU 'yellow card'. These tasks include: Enhancing the effectiveness of information dissemination, training, and mobilization programs; raising awareness and responsibility regarding anti-IUU fishing.

Improving legal regulations to manage "3 no" fishing vessels in a comprehensive manner; enhancing law enforcement capacity to address IUU fishing violations, with a focus on managing intermediaries who enable Vietnamese fishing vessels to engage in illegal exploitation activities in international waters.

Implementing legal regulations on fleet management in a strict and synchronous manner; managing fishing vessel activities at sea and in ports in compliance with legal regulations.

Implementing Vietnamese and international legal regulations on the identification, certification, and origin traceability of harvested seafood products; preventing the export of illegally harvested seafood products.

Investigating, verifying, and addressing IUU fishing activities in an unbiased and comprehensive manner; preventing and eliminating illegal exploitation activities in international waters.

Regarding international cooperation, strengthening diplomatic measures and leveraging support from international partners to promptly remove the IUU 'yellow card'; preventing the illegal exploitation activities of Vietnamese fishing vessels and fishermen in international waters from affecting Vietnam's international relations.

Actively acquiring information on arrested and processing Vietnamese fishing vessels and fishermen; Compiling records, documents, evidence, judgments, and decisions to investigate, process and protect Vietnamese citizens; Employing diplomatic measures in a timely manner to assist Vietnamese fishing vessels and fishermen detained by foreign authorities in overlapping, disputed or non-delineated waters.

"Prioritize and allocate sufficient resources (personnel, forces, budget, equipment, and means) to local departments and authorities; reinforce manpower and resources to carry out law enforcement duties; patrol, inspect, control, and monitor the implementation of anti-IUU fishing regulations. Conduct regular inspections; review responsibilities; and strictly penalize organizations and individuals who fail to fulfill their assigned duties and tasks," emphasized Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang

On the other hand, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang highlighted five long-term tasks and solutions for the sustainable development of the fisheries sector, including:

Reviewing, improving policies and legal regulations in the fisheries sector; implementing solutions to diversify occupations, develop sustainable professions, promote mariculture, reduce fishermen's dependency on fisheries exploitation; maintaining a balance between the number of fishing vessel, fishing capacity and the fisheries resources within a marine area; improving livelihoods and quality of life for coastal and island fishermen communities.

Enhancing capacity and establishing support mechanisms, policies for law enforcement agencies, fisheries surveillance forces, and related agencies to effectively manage and enforce fisheries regulations.

Prioritizing investment in the development of technical facilities and fisheries infrastructure; promoting industrialization and modernization; utilizing scientific and technological advancements, innovations, and digital transformation for the long-term development of the fisheries sector in association with social security and the protection of maritime sovereignty.

Enhancing international cooperation within the fisheries sector; negotiating and demarcating economic exclusive zones and continental shelves between Vietnam and other countries; resolving maritime disputes; performing search and rescue duties to ensure the safety of fishermen operating at sea; performing Vietnam's responsibilities in fulfilling international commitments and agreements on the protection of the ocean environment, the marine ecosystem, and fisheries resources.

Implementing national plans, strategies and programs related to sustainable development and international integration of the fisheries sector; implementing the Party's Resolution on Vietnam's Sustainable Marine Economy Development Strategy until 2030, with a vision towards 2045.

Restructuring the fisheries sector towards transparency and sustainability

During the conference, delegates from coastal provinces and cities acknowledged the efforts made to address the EC's "yellow card" regarding IUU fishing activities in Vietnam. They highlighted the vigorous and coordinated implementation of various measures to prevent and eliminate IUU fishing. Additionally, the delegates emphasized the importance of information dissemination and mobilization programs, which have significantly improved awareness regarding compliance with fisheries and anti-IUU fishing regulations among government agencies, businesses, fishermen, and the general public.

However, local governments are currently limited by inadequate fisheries infrastructure and ineffective control over fishing activities, catch volumes, and origin traceability. On the other hand, inspection, supervision, and law enforcement efforts are inconsistent and insufficient.

Consequently, local governments will continue to strengthen information dissemination, training, and awareness-raising programs on anti-IUU fishing; manage "3 no" and illegal fishing vessels; enhance patrol, inspection, and law enforcement duties at sea; and implement measures to prevent and eliminate illegal exploitation activities in international waters.

According to Mr. Pham Anh Tuan, Deputy Secretary of the Binh Dinh Provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, the province will focus on implementing urgent key tasks and solutions under the Party Central Committee's Directive No. 32-CT/TW in order to contribute to the national effort to remove the IUU 'yellow card'.

He recommended that central authorities instruct law enforcement forces at sea to increase patrols and control measures in marine areas; inspect and handle trespassing fishing vessels in international waters to prevent and address violations by Vietnamese vessels in a timely manner.

There will also be a focus on information dissemination programs in combination with increased inspection, control, and strict management of non-local fishing vessels regularly docking within the province, with the primary target being fishing vessels under 15 meters in length operating in turbulent areas without a vessel monitoring system. Consequently, the province aims to prevent, limit, and eliminate illegal exploitation activities in international waters. Moreover, the province will upgrade its existing fishing ports, anchorages, and storm shelters to effectively manage fishing fleets and support origin traceability efforts.

During her announcement of key tasks at the conference, Ms. Truong Thi Mai praised the direct and practical speeches made by central and local delegates. These speeches have accurately reflected the current state of anti-IUU fishing efforts, and provided solutions to address existing challenges. She also reaffirmed the commitment to implementing Directive No. 32 and the Government's Program. Ms. Truong Thi Mai is confident that with increased awareness and determination, Vietnam will be able to achieve the goals, tasks, and solutions outlined under Directive No. 32, thereby contributing to the removal of the IUU 'yellow card' in 2024.

Ms. Truong Thi Mai acknowledged the positive developments in Vietnam's effort to remove the IUU 'yellow card'; however, without the removal of this "yellow card", Vietnam's challenges will continue to persist. Directive No. 32 has identified anti-IUU fishing as an urgent, crucial and long-term mission. Failure to remove the IUU "yellow card" will not only affect the development of the fisheries sector and the country as a whole, but will also impact the livelihoods of numerous fishermen.

Accordingly, Ms. Truong Thi Mai highlighted four key tasks in the removal of the IUU "yellow card", which are: continuing to improve the institutional framework; managing and monitoring fishing fleets; implementing origin certification and traceability; and effectively enforcing regulations.

In addition, Ms. Truong Thi Mai believes that Vietnam can learn from the examples of Thailand, the Philippines, and other countries while acknowledging the differences in each country's practicalities.

Ms. Truong Thi Mai also noted that the removal of the EC's IUU "yellow card" is only the first step; in the long term, Vietnam must focus on transparency in fisheries exploitation and sustainable livelihoods for the people, thereby promoting sustainable fisheries development.

She stressed the importance of fostering unity and providing support for the people and workers involved. She also emphasized that protecting the legal rights and interests of fishermen is crucial to gaining their trust in the Party and government.

Ms. Truong Thi Mai expressed her hope that local governments nationwide will effectively implement the Party Central Committee's Directive No. 32 and the Government's Action Plan, thereby contributing to the removal of the IUU "yellow card" in 2024, promoting sustainable development in the fisheries sector, and improving the stability of fishermen's livelihoods.

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Minh Hoan acknowledged the directives from Permanent Member of the Secretariat Truong Thi Mai, and stated that the Ministry is actively preparing for the EC's fifth inspection, which is scheduled for the end of May 2024.