Decisive action needed to lift IUU 'yellow card'.
On the morning of April 16th, the National Steering Committee on Combating Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing held its 34th meeting at the Government Headquarters, connecting online with coastal provinces and cities.
Comrade Ho Quoc Dung - Member of the Central Committee of the Party, Deputy Prime Minister, and Head of the National Steering Committee on IUU - chaired the meeting.
At the Nghe An location, Comrade Nguyen Van De - Member of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee - presided over the meeting.
Ensuring continuity and uninterrupted guidance.
The meeting was held to assess the results of the tasks implemented in the past period; and to clarify the key priorities that need to be focused on in the coming period, especially in the context of the leadership transition between the Governments for the 2021-2026 and 2026-2031 terms, which requires ensuring continuity and uninterrupted direction in the fight against IUU fishing.
In Nghe An province, the management of the fishing fleet has been implemented comprehensively and strictly. All fishing vessels that meet the operating requirements have been registered, inspected, and licensed for fishing.
For the 46 fishing vessels that did not meet the requirements, the province has designated them for direct management by the communes and wards, ensuring that no fishing gear is left on board; at the same time, the Border Guard force has been instructed to absolutely prevent them from going out to sea.
In particular, 100% of fishing vessels 15 meters or longer have been equipped with vessel tracking systems (VMS), maintaining connectivity and monitoring 24/7.
Traceability measures are being implemented rigorously; violations such as VMS disconnection and exceeding permitted boundaries have been largely resolved. Any new violations are being promptly investigated and processed by the authorities in accordance with regulations.
Increase administrative penalties.
Concluding the meeting, Deputy Prime Minister Ho Quoc Dung emphasized the need for more decisive action with the overarching goal of thoroughly addressing the recommendations of the European Commission (EC), creating a solid foundation for lifting the "yellow card" in the near future.
Regarding specific solutions, the comrade requested the urgent restructuring of the Central Steering Committee's organizational apparatus; and the establishment of an inter-ministerial working group comprising representatives from various ministries and agencies to strengthen inspection and supervision and promptly rectify any shortcomings. Both the Steering Committee and the working group must have clear operating regulations, specific responsibilities, and ensure effective and substantive operation.
The Deputy Prime Minister also requested the completion of the legal framework in accordance with the EC's recommendations; specifically, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment needs to promptly submit to the Government a decree to replace Decree 38 on administrative penalties in the fisheries sector, with a view to significantly increasing penalties; and to review the entire system of documents and procedures related to exploitation, control, traceability, import, and processing. Any loopholes or inadequacies must be clearly identified, and solutions for improvement must be proposed promptly.
Regarding enforcement forces, the Deputy Prime Minister requested the Ministry of National Defence to strengthen patrols and controls, resolutely preventing fishing vessels from violating foreign waters. The Border Guard force needs to launch a widespread awareness campaign reaching every fishing household, while also strictly controlling fishing vessels entering and leaving ports.
The Ministry of Public Security has been tasked with continuing to investigate and strictly handle violations, especially those involving brokering networks that facilitate illegal fishing by vessels and fishermen operating abroad. Other ministries and agencies have also been assigned specific tasks.
Regarding the localities, Deputy Prime Minister Ho Quoc Dung acknowledged and commended their sense of responsibility in the past period, but also frankly pointed out that this is a difficult and complex task, requiring consistent guidance and a very high level of commitment from the Party committees and authorities.
According to the Deputy Prime Minister, practical experience shows that in localities where the Party Secretary, the Chairman of the People's Committee, and the Vice-Chairmen in charge directly and persistently get involved, there are clear and noticeable changes.
In that spirit, he requested that localities urgently review all tasks assigned by the Steering Committee, clearly identify which tasks have been completed, which have not been completed, the specific causes and responsibilities; and thoroughly address the shortcomings pointed out by the EC.
In the coming period, the National Steering Committee will conduct inspections and work directly with localities; those that do not seriously implement the regulations will be subject to review and disciplinary action in accordance with the regulations.
