The Prime Minister criticized 4 provinces for allowing fishing vessels to violate foreign waters

The Prime Minister, Mr. Pham Minh Chinh signed and promulgated the Official Dispatch No. 265/CD-TTg on 17/4/2023, focusing on removing difficulties and obstacles in promoting production and consumption of agricultural products, as well as implementing 3 national target programs; combating illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

The Prime Minister criticized 4 provinces: Binh Dinh, Khanh Hoa, Binh Thuan, and Kien Giang for continuing to allow local fishing vessels to violate foreign waters from the beginning of 2023 until now. Mr. Pham Minh Chinh has also requested the provinces to organize a serious review, clearly define the responsibilities of the heads of the localities and relevant units, and report to the Prime Minister before May 15, 2023.

Strong measures must be taken to prevent and stop the situation of Vietnamese fishing vessels and fishermen violating illegal fishing in foreign waters. The concerned ministries, branches and localities shall direct and strictly and promptly handle organizations and individuals that intentionally commit acts of illegal mining.

The Ministry of Defense shall assume the prime responsibility, and coordinate with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and other ministries, branches and localities in strengthening patrols, control, prevention and termination of violations.

The Ministry of Public Security directs the investigation, consolidation of records, and prosecution of organizations and individuals that act as brokers and hookers to bring fishing vessels and fishermen to illegally exploit seafood in the foreign waters. 

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall provide information, records and closely coordinate with ministries, branches and localities in investigating and completely handling cases of violations that are arrested and handled by foreign countries.

Coastal localities shall verify and strictly punish violators according to the provisions of law, and publicize them on mass media for deterrence and education.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development take the main responsibility, and coordinate with the Ministries of: Finance, Transport, Industry and Trade, etc. to implement measures to control and thoroughly prevent illegally exploited aquatic import materials, especially goods that are imported by container ships as recommended by the EC; reviewing and supplementing legal provisions in the draft Decree amending and supplementing Decree No. 26/2019/ND-CP of the government about the detailing of a number of articles and measures to implement the Law on Fisheries to manage and report to the Government in the second quarter of 2023.

The Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development shall direct the management of fishing vessels, registration, and issuance of fishing licenses to ensure compliance with the provisions of law; direct the border guard and fishery control forces to increase patrolling, as well as control and handle fishing vessels that are not eligible to participate in fishing activities as prescribed.

Chairman of the People's Committees of coastal provinces and cities directs to strictly control fishing vessels entering and leaving the port, supervises the output of fish caught and unloaded through the port, and complies with regulations on certification and the traceability of aquatic products. Another task is to thoroughly investigate, verify and handle violations, in cases where there are sufficient grounds for criminal punishment to be investigated and prosecuted in accordance with law, especially acts of intentionally violating regulations on IUU, legal documentation for export seafood shipments. Finally, to actively mobilize, and arrange sufficient human resources and funds to ensure the implementation of the anti-IUU task for local fisheries management agencies, especially at fishing ports are also the top responsibility.