End illegal fishing by March 31, 2023

The Government Office has just issued Notice No. 393/TB-VPCP dated December 27, 2022, concluding the conclusion of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh at the Online Conference on combating illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

The announcement clearly stated: The results of combating IUU fishing after 5 years of being warned with the "Yellow Card" by the EC have made progress, which has been recognized by the EC. However, there are still many shortcomings and limitations that do not meet the requirements. If they are not overcome soon, not only will the "Yellow Card" warning not be removed, but the risk will also become more complicated. Relevant departments, ministries, branches and localities need to clearly define the task of removing the "Yellow Card" warning, not only to deal with the EC but also for the goal of developing the Vietnamese fisheries industry sustainably, ensuring the interests of the people and the country, enhancing the position and image of the country in the international arena, demonstrating Vietnam's responsibility in implementing international commitments and treaties in protecting the marine environment and sustainable marine ecosystems.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh requested ministries, branches and localities to coordinate to prevent and end illegal fishing vessels in foreign waters before March 31, 2023. Photo: Government Newspaper

Therefore, relevant ministries, branches, and localities; especially at the commune/ward/town level, must be consistent in their ideology and viewpoint in carrying out the task of combating IUU fishing, both ensuring the strictness of the law and accompanying, sharing, and supporting people to effectively achieve the common goal of removing the EC's "Yellow Card" warning.

Specifically, ministries, branches and localities must mobilize the political system to take action under the direction of the Standing Secretariat, the Government and the Prime Minister; clearly define the responsibilities of each organization and individual assigned to them; promptly encourage, reward and review, strictly handle cases of failure to fulfill assigned duties and tasks and promptly propose remedial solutions.

Strictly implement regulations of fisheries law (installation of voyage monitoring equipment (VMS), issuance of fishing licenses, etc.), and promptly amend and supplement legal documents to remove difficulties and ensure compliance with practical situations.

Understand the thoughts, aspirations and actual situation of people's lives and livelihoods to propose fundamental solutions to create sustainable livelihoods and jobs for people, change occupations to reduce dependence on fisheries; propagate and mobilize people to comply with the law and not violate IUU fishing.

Law enforcement must be implemented synchronously, uniformly and closely coordinated from the central to local levels, between provinces, districts, communes, wards and relevant functional forces; propaganda and mobilization for people to comply with the law, ensure the principle of the rule of law, resolutely punish administrative violations, especially criminal handling of organized acts of brokering and connecting Vietnamese fishing vessels and fishermen to illegally exploit seafood in foreign waters.

Develop a 180-day action plan to combat IUU fishing

The Prime Minister requested relevant ministries, branches, localities, and associations, and seafood enterprises to think honestly, speak honestly, act honestly, have real results, not be bureaucratic or formalistic, focus on taking drastic actions, and effectively implement key tasks and solutions.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (Standing Body of the National Steering Committee on IUU) urgently develops a 180-day action plan to combat IUU fishing according to the EC's recommendations until May 2023, submits it to the Government or the Prime Minister for consideration and promulgation; organizes inter-sectoral working groups to urge and inspect the implementation of regulations against IUU fishing in localities, promptly provides guidance on overcoming shortcomings and limitations; synthesizes and reports to the Prime Minister and the National Steering Committee on IUU on implementation results.

Resolutely handle the act of organizing and sending Vietnamese fishing vessels for illegal exploitation.

The Ministry of National Defense directed functional forces to coordinate with relevant departments, ministries, branches and coastal provinces and centrally run cities to prevent and end illegal fishing vessels in foreign waters before March 31, 2023.

The Ministry of Public Security investigates and thoroughly handles acts of brokerage, collusion, and organization of sending Vietnamese fishing vessels and fishermen to illegally exploit in foreign waters, and acts of brokerage to redeem fishing vessels and fishermen illegally detained by foreign countries and repatriate them to the country.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall carry out the work of protecting fishermen returning home; promptly and resolutely combat cases of foreign countries illegally arresting and handling Vietnamese fishing vessels and fishermen; preside over negotiations and soon complete the demarcation of border, overlapping, and undemarcated sea areas between Vietnam and other countries; and in the immediate future, advise and propose boundaries allowing fishing vessels to exploit seafood in these areas.

At the same time, seek the support of relevant parties, strengthen advocacy and fight with the EC to consider, share and accompany, and support solutions to combat IUU fishing in the context of Vietnam's fisheries industry transforming from traditional, small-scale fishing to modern, responsible and internationally integrated fishing.

The Ministry of Information and Communications shall preside over and coordinate with ministries, sectors and localities to orient information and propaganda, direct news agencies, newspapers and grassroots information systems to increase the duration and quality of information and propaganda on Vietnam's efforts to prevent and combat IUU fishing; inform and propagate typical organizations and individuals in preventing and combating IUU fishing.

The Ministry of Planning and Investment prioritizes the arrangement and allocation of sufficient capital to departments, ministries, branches and localities to invest in and upgrade fisheries infrastructure systems, fishing ports, storm shelters, and implement policies and mechanisms to support fishermen.

The Ministry of Finance has effective solutions to control aquatic products imported into Vietnam; prioritizes allocating sufficient funding for relevant ministries, sectors and localities to effectively implement contents, programs and plans to carry out tasks of combating IUU fishing.

The Ministry of Science and Technology shall coordinate with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, relevant ministries, branches and localities to ensure that technological and technical solutions for fishing vessel monitoring systems and fishing vessel journey monitoring equipment of equipment suppliers operate smoothly and stably according to regulations.

Ensuring seafood exports do not violate regulations against IUU fishing

People's Committees of coastal provinces and centrally run cities shall enhance the responsibility of heads of Party committees and authorities at all levels in leading and directing the fight against IUU fishing; organize reviews of the responsibilities of units and individuals who do not fully perform their duties and responsibilities in the fight against IUU fishing.

Strengthen propaganda and mobilize people to comply with the law on combating IUU fishing; strengthen the management of fishing vessels, strictly handle fishing vessels that violate regulations on combating IUU fishing; strengthen and improve the work of confirming, certifying and tracing the origin of exploited aquatic products.

Prioritize the allocation of sufficient resources (human resources, funding, equipment) for management and combating IUU fishing at the local level; closely coordinate between localities in monitoring, controlling and handling fishing vessels violating anti-IUU fishing regulations; strengthen inspection and examination of enterprises in the management area to ensure that the export of exploited aquatic products does not violate anti-IUU fishing regulations.

Establish local fisheries inspectors in accordance with the provisions of the 2017 Fisheries Law and related legal provisions…