Resolving 'Three Nos' fishing vessels before 20 November

High responsibility must be placed

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha recently signed Dispatch No. 111/CĐ-TTg from the Prime Minister on focusing efforts to carry out urgent tasks and solutions against IUU fishing and to prepare for the 5th European Commission (EC) inspection team visit.

The dispatch was sent to the Ministers of various departments: Agriculture and Rural Development, Finance, Planning and Investment, Information and Communication, Foreign Affairs, Public Security, Defense; as well as the Chairpersons of People’s Committees in 28 coastal provinces, and the leaders of associations: Vietnam Fisheries, Vietnam Tuna, and Seafood Processing and Export.

Despite efforts over seven years to combat IUU fishing, much work remains. Issues include non-compliance with regulations on fishing permits, addressing the "Three Nos" boats, violations regarding vessel monitoring systems, and illegal fishing activities by Vietnamese vessels in foreign waters. Challenges persist due to weak local implementation, lack of strong leadership, and corruption or cover-ups by some authorities.

However, there remain many objectives and tasks that have not been achieved or are delayed in accordance with the directives of the Secretariat, the Government, the Prime Minister, and the EC's requirements. These are related to matters such as registration, issuing fishing licenses, handling of "Three Nos" fishing vessels, violations of regulations regarding installation and management of vessel monitoring systems; and, particularly, the ongoing complex situation of Vietnamese fishing vessels and fishermen violating illegal fishing laws in foreign waters.

These shortcomings are mainly due to weak organizational implementation in certain localities; lack of resolute leadership from some officials, inadequate attention, and insufficient inspection, oversight, and monitoring. Some regulatory agencies are even engaging in profiteering, covering up, and abetting IUU fishing activities. Certain localities, agencies, organizations, and some fishermen have yet to fully realize that combating IUU fishing is an opportunity to protect, develop, and sustainably exploit fishery resources; thus, they mainly focus on reactive measures to address the "yellow card" warning on IUU fishing.

Additionally, some central ministries and agencies have not fully carried out their assigned state management responsibilities, have lacked close coordination, and have not provided effective advice to the Government and the Prime Minister to definitively resolve longstanding issues related to IUU fishing.

To earnestly address the "yellow card" warning during the 5th inspection round by the EC and avoid any impact on the development of the fishery sector, the livelihoods of coastal fishing communities, and, especially, the country’s credibility, prestige, and image, the Prime Minister requests all relevant departments, ministries, and localities to assume the highest level of responsibility at this time. It is essential to seriously rectify, focus on implementing in a synchronized manner the tasks and solutions assigned by the Secretariat, the Government, the Prime Minister, and the Head of the National Steering Committee on IUU Fishing, according to Directive No. 32-CT/TW dated April 10, 2024, Resolution No. 52/NQ-CP dated April 22, 2024, Notice of Conclusion No. 403/TB-VPCP dated August 31, 2024, and other related directives. From now until the EC's 5th inspection visit to Vietnam, relevant agencies should concentrate resources and address the following urgent, key matters:

Relevant departments, ministries, and localities are to thoroughly communicate, specifically assign, and clearly determine the responsibilities of each agency, unit, and individual, with timelines and expected outcomes, to rigorously and effectively carry out the tasks and solutions against IUU fishing as stipulated in Directive No. 32-CT/TW of the Secretariat, Resolution No. 52/NQ-CP of the Government, and directives from the Prime Minister and the Head of the National Steering Committee on IUU fishing. Hold leaders of party committees, government bodies, and administrative organizations at all levels accountable for implementing anti-IUU fishing measures; promptly encourage, reward, and, where necessary, review and impose sanctions on those failing to fulfill their responsibilities.

Ensure proactive and timely coordination among ministries, sectors, localities, and relevant forces in sharing information, combating, preventing, and addressing IUU fishing activities. Direct law enforcement agencies under their jurisdiction to launch an intensive campaign in November to deploy patrols, inspections, and controls targeting "Three Nos" fishing vessels, those lacking necessary conditions for legal fishing activities, and vessels with canceled registrations that continue to operate illegally. Resolve the "Three Nos" fishing vessel issue completely by November 20, 2024.

Apply technology, artificial intelligence, data analysis, and monitoring to identify areas and vessels frequently involved in illegal fishing in foreign waters, focusing monitoring and control efforts, especially in Kien Giang, Binh Dinh, and Ca Mau (where there are still violations involving illegal fishing in foreign waters). Inspect, investigate, determine causes, assign responsibilities, propose solutions, and recommend legal, technical, and policy improvements to effectively manage the situation.

Ensure adequate resources and funding, swiftly address remaining issues and limitations; prepare the best possible conditions for welcoming and working with the EC's 5th inspection team; and avoid any reactive or unexpected scenarios that could affect the nation's efforts to lift the IUU "yellow card" warning.

Responsibilities of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development will continue to study amendments and additions to Decree No. 37/2024/ND-CP, which modifies and supplements several articles of Decree No. 26/2019/ND-CP of the Government detailing certain provisions and measures for implementing the Fisheries Law, and Decree No. 38/2024/ND-CP on penalties for administrative violations in the fisheries sector. A report will be submitted to the Prime Minister by December 15, 2024.

In coordination with the Ministry of Information and Communications and the Ministry of Science and Technology, MARD will review and refine standards and regulations for devices, including installation of connectivity equipment on fishing vessels, to ensure quality and prevent actions such as removal or disabling of vessel monitoring systems.

Lead and coordinate with ministries, sectors, and technology companies to continue investing in and upgrading the fisheries management information infrastructure, the VNFishbase, Vessel Monitoring System (VMS), the application of information technology and artificial intelligence in the analysis, monitoring, surveillance, and enforcement of IUU fishing behaviors; the electronic traceability system (eCDT) for declaring and updating catch volume and origin of seafood, managing fisheries labor… in accordance with regulations; ensuring data synchronization, consistency, and interconnection from central to local levels and among functional forces; developing applications for fishermen to update and declare the origin of caught seafood and support analysis; applications for analyzing and identifying vessels frequently violating regulations, sending devices to enhance control and monitoring.

Enhance the fisheries control system from the central to local levels, ensuring sufficient resources, funding, infrastructure, and equipment to meet the requirements of combating IUU fishing, promoting sustainable fisheries development, and contributing to the protection of national maritime sovereignty. Establish a unified command and control center from the central government to regional and local Fisheries Control Departments in 28 coastal provinces and cities.

Lead and coordinate with localities to submit investment projects for upgrading key fishing ports for purchasing, confirming, and tracing the origin of captured seafood to the relevant authorities; effectively implement the Fisheries Protection and Development Plan for the period 2021-2030, with a vision towards 2050, to conserve ecosystems, protect aquatic resources, and promote sustainable fisheries development, in line with the instructions from the Party Secretariat in Directive No. 32-CT/TW.

Direct and urge localities to complete the registration, inspection, and issuance of fishing licenses, handle "Three Nos" fishing vessels, ensuring completion by November 20, 2024; compile and report the results to the Prime Minister.