(VOVWORLD) - The European Commission (EC) will visit Vietnam this week to assess the country’s effort to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. This is an opportunity for Vietnam to show its commitment to implementing EC recommendations in order to get the yellow card imposed on its seafood industry removed.
 (Photo: Luu Huong/VGP) |
In October 2017, the EC issued a yellow card warning to Vietnam due to concerns over IUU fishing. Since then, the EC has conducted four inspections and provided recommendations, including strengthening the legal framework for fisheries management, enhancing monitoring, inspection, and control of fishing vessel activities, improving fleet management to ensure sustainable fishing practices, certifying seafood output, and ensuring traceability of exploited aquatic products.
The most recent EC inspection, conducted in October 2023, acknowledged significant progress in addressing these issues.
Following the 2023 inspection, the Party Central Committee’s Secretariat issued Directive 32 on in October 2024, reinforcing the Party’s leadership in combating IUU fishing and promoting sustainable fisheries development. To support this directive, the government issued Resolution 52 on strengthening legal enforcement and compliance, strictly monitoring fishing vessel activities from shore to sea and at ports, ensuring seafood traceability, and imposing strict penalties for violations.
A crucial aspect of Vietnam's strategy is the modernization of its fisheries sector and the transition to sustainable aquaculture to reduce dependence on wild catch. In May 2024, the Prime Minister approved a program to reduce exploitation, develop marine aquaculture, and promote sustainable livelihoods.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment has deployed interdisciplinary inspection teams across coastal provinces. All fishing vessels are now required to install a Vessel Monitoring System (VMS). Multiple communications campaigns have been launched nationwide to inform fishermen of international fishing regulations.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Public Security and the Ministry of National Defense have stepped up patrols and collaborated with local authorities to prevent Vietnamese fishing vessels from encroaching into foreign waters.
At a conference on IUU fishing prevention in Kien Giang province on Tuesday, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Phung Duc Tien said: “We have made significant progress in improving legal regulations and enforcement mechanisms. Our legal framework now meets the necessary conditions to get the yellow card removed. The focus now is on ensuring compliance at the local level, particularly in managing fishing fleets.”
Fishermen have shown increased compliance with IUU regulations. Trinh Minh Thuan, a fisherman from Soc Trang province, said: “When fishing, I strictly follow designated coordinates to avoid IUU violations. After each trip, I submit my logbook at the port. Authorities provide regular guidance, and we always seek clarification if anything is unclear.”
The collective effort of the government, ministries, local authorities, and fishermen reflects Vietnam’s strong determination to have the EC’s yellow card lifted.