(VOVWORLD) -Vietnam has shown high determination in combating illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing to have the European Commission’s “yellow card” against its fisheries sector removed, with many achievements and positive changes recorded since 2017, said an Australia-based expert.
Nguyen Anh Thu, a researcher in the Blue Security Fellowship program at Australia’s La Trobe University in Melbourne, said that receiving the EC’s recommendations, Vietnam has worked hard to complete its legal framework by issuing, amending, and supplementing its 2017 Fisheries Law and many relevant decrees and circulars.
In addition, Vietnam has increased sanctions and stepped up penalties for fishing vessels violating IUU fishing prevention and control regulations.
As of May 21, 2024, Vietnam has had 98.25% of fishing vessels of 15 meters in length and above equipped with a vessel monitoring system (VMS).
Over the years, Vietnam has promoted international cooperation and signed memoranda of understanding with Thailand, Australia, and the United States, while establishing a hotline and regularly exchanging information with other countries in Southeast Asia, Thu said.
She added that Vietnam has actively engaged in the initiative of building a roadmap combating IUU fishing in ASEAN in the 2020 to 2025 period.
The expert commented that continuing to work closely with relevant countries and international organizations and regularly exchanging practical experiences in combating IUU fishing will help Vietnam have the EC’s IUU “yellow card” soon removed.