EC delegation praises Vietnam’s efforts to combat IUU fishing
(VOVWORLD) - The inspection delegation from the European Commission (EC) highly evaluated Vietnam’s efforts to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, especially the Government and Prime Minister’s political resolve and direction, said Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Phung Duc Tien.
 EC delegation acknowledges Vietnam’s efforts to combat IUU fishing (Photo: VOV) |
The EC delegation conducted the fourth inspection of IUU fishing in Ba Ria - Vung Tau and Binh Dinh provinces from October 10 to 18. They spoke highly of the Vietnamese government's right direction and instructions and its shift to a responsible fishery industry, Tien said.
He said the EC delegation praised the draft revisions to the Government’s Decree No. 26 on measures to enforce the Law on Fisheries, and Decree 42, which stipulates administrative fines in the fishery sector.
However, some problem remain in monitoring fishing vessels and the punishments for violations.
The EC delegation also recommended localities seriously enforce the legal regulations in the Law on Fisheries, especially the rules on vessel monitoring systems (VMS) installation and vessel registration, licensing and marking, according to Tien.
 Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Phung Duc Tien (Photo: VOV) |
“The delegation will have to report inspection results to the EC’s Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries before a conclusion on the removal of the “yellow card” for Vietnam is issued. Leaders of coastal provinces and cities need to continue to prevent vessels from violating anti-IUU fishing rules in foreign waters,” said Tien.