Vietnam Builds Sustainable, Responsible Fishing Industry
Fighting against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing practices and stepping towards harmonization of international regulations and sustainable development of the fishing industry is Vietnam's goal and commitment. Recently, Vietnam proactively increased cooperation with the European Union (EU) to remove the “yellow card”.
From October 10-18, an inspection team from the European Commission (EC) visited Vietnam to examine the country’s efforts on IUU fishing prevention. This is the fourth time the EC has evaluated Vietnam’s implementation of its recommendations on the fight against IUU fishing to conclude if the "yellow card" warning against Vietnam's seafood products would be removed.
Vietnam’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development affirmed that Vietnam is firmly committed to combating IUU fishing, towards harmonizing international regulations, and sustainably developing the country’s fishing industry.
At the same time, Vietnam has strived to create trust and mutual understanding regarding its current status, efforts, and determination in combating IUU fishing as well as transforming the country’s fishing sector to a modern, sustainable, and responsible one by enforcing the 2017 Fisheries Law.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has set out programs, projects, and plans on developing the fishery sector sustainably and responsibly with international integration, and fighting against IUU fishing. They were sent to the prime minister for approval to effectively implement the "Strategy for the Growth of Vietnam's Fisheries to 2030, with a Vision to 2045" in Decision No. 339/QD-TTg dated March 11, 2021 issued by the prime minister.
At a conference on accelerating solutions for IUU fishing, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said that combating IUU fishing is first and foremost for the benefit of the nation and the people and asked for constantly enhancing people's awareness about compliance with the law and environmental protection and sustainable development.
He also spoke about creating a livelihood for the people, generating jobs for them in the direction of increasing farming, processing and reducing the catch of wild fish; completely resolving the recommendations of countries and organizations in seafood exploitation and not letting new problems arise.
To reach the target of lifting the “yellow card” and building a responsible and sustainable fishing industry with international integration, it needs the participation of the entire political system. All relevant ministries and agencies from central to local levels, especially coastal localities in 28 centrally-run coastal provinces and cities, must consider it a priority and urgent task and show Vietnam’s commitments, efforts, and political determination of the fight against IUU fishing.
Currently, 73,282 fishing vessels with a length of 6m or more and 27,810 (94.3%) fishing vessels of 15m or more have been registered and have their information available in the VNFishbase. The number of fishing vessels of 15m or more in length installed with a vessel monitoring system (VMS) reached 28.797 (97.65%).
Vietnam signed a government-level agreement on international cooperation for combating IUU fishing with Southeast Asian countries and Australia; presided over the development of the Initiative "Building a roadmap on combating IUU fishing in ASEAN in the 2020 - 2025 period"; cooperate with international organizations such as the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) to carry out solutions to implement port state measures, digital traceability, and at-sea transshipment./.
Story: VNP
Photos: VNA
Translated by Hong Hanh