Vietnam seriously implements EC recommendations in IUU fishing combat: Ministry

Vietnam has seriously implemented recommendations made by the European Commission (EC) to fight illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD).

Regarding the legal framework, the ministry has closely coordinated with the National Assembly (NA) committees and Government agencies to integrate the EC regulations into domestic laws.

Notably, the Government proposed the legislature approve the Law on Fisheries in November 2017, and issued two decrees. Meanwhile, the ministry issued eight guiding circulars. As a result, the legal framework was basically completed in 2019, meeting requirements of the IUU fishing combat.

Vietnam is continuing to review, amend and supplement the framework in line with the reality and international regulations, as recommended by the EC in its third inspection.

The MARD has set out programmes, projects and plans on the sustainable development of the fishery sector, and the IUU fight, and proposed them to the PM for approval.

The PM has also instructed localities to review their fishing fleets, and upgrade their data and information in the National Fisheries Database (VNFishbase), according to the ministry.

Twenty-six out of the 28 coastal cities and provinces have completed the review of their fishing vessels to date.

Up to 97.65% of fishing boats measuring at least 15 metres long nationwide have been equipped with the vessel monitoring system (VMS). The remainders are under supervision.

The fight against IUU fishing has seen the engagement of border guards and law enforcement forces at sea, among others, the ministry said, stressing that no cases of Vietnamese fishing boats encroaching upon foreign waters have been reported so far.

Seafood traceability has been carried out in accordance with the Fisheries Law and the Agreement on Port State Measures (PSMA).

Relating law enforcement and administrative punishment by localities and competent forces, the ministry said from the beginning of this year, the authorities have imposed fines on 2,111 cases with a total of 44 billion VND (1.8 million USD).

In terms of international cooperation, Vietnam signed the Joint Communiqué on Voluntary International Cooperation to Combat IUU Fishing and to Promote Sustainable Fisheries Governance with Indonesia, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the use of a hotline to deal with IUU fishing with Brunei, along with other documents with Australia and the US.

Vietnam is negotiating to sign similar hotlines with Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia, and Indonesia, while effectively operating that with the Philippines, and materialising cooperation agreements in this field with Thailand, Cambodia, and the Philippines.