Deputy Prime Minister: High determination to remove the IUU 'Yellow card' warning

By Vietnam Expo On 27-06-2024 at 3:20 am

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang requested relevant ministries, branches and localities to focus on implementing urgent and key tasks and solutions for Vietnam to remove the IUU 'Yellow Card' warning in 2024.

The Government Office issued Notice No. 275/TB-VPCP, concluding the conclusion of Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang at the Preliminary Conference of the National Steering Committee on combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing (IUU).

Overall, up to now, in some localities, there are still many problems, limitations that are slow to overcome, and progress that has not been ensured according to the direction of the Prime Minister and the Head of the National Steering Committee on IUU such as: ship status Illegal exploitation of fish and fishermen in foreign waters continues to occur, with complex and sophisticated developments; There have been many cases of intentionally removing and helping to transport fishing vessel monitoring system (VMS) for illegal fishing; Unable to manage and control "03 no" fishing vessels; There have not been many positive changes in overcoming the shortcomings pointed out by the EC during the 4th inspection...

Highest determination to remove the "Yellow card" warning

The 5th EC inspection (expected in October 2024) is the decisive moment for Vietnam to remove the IUU "Yellow Card" warning in 2024; Therefore, relevant sectors and levels from central to local levels must identify this as an essential task and act in unison with the highest determination to remove the "Yellow Card" warning. Therefore, the Deputy Prime Minister requests the Provincial and City Party Committee Secretaries to implement Directive No. 32-CT/TW thoroughly, requesting the Ministers, Heads of relevant ministries and agencies and the Chairmen of the People's Committees of coastal provinces and centrally run cities directly lead and focus on directing the complete resolution of current shortcomings and limitations; which focuses highly on implementing urgent and key tasks and solutions from now until September 2024, ensuring there is specific data and proven results to work with the EC Inspection Team.

Some key tasks and solutions

The Deputy Prime Minister requested relevant departments, ministries, branches and localities to focus on leading and directing functional agencies to seriously implement Directive No. 32-CT/TW of the Secretariat and Resolution No. 52 /NQ-CP of the Government and the guiding opinions of the Prime Minister and the Head of the National Steering Committee on IUU and other relevant documents, ensuring timely and effective work; Carefully prepare the content, program, and working plan with the 5th EC Inspection Team to ensure the best results.

Arrange enough resources (human resources, funding, equipment, vehicles) to combat IUU exploitation and remove the "Yellow Card" warning. Periodically before the 30th of each month, report the situation and results of combating IUU fishing to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (Standing agency of the National Steering Committee on IUU) for synthesis and reporting to the Secretariat and Government, Prime Minister and Head of the National Steering Committee on IUU.

Launching peak law enforcement and handling IUU fishing violations

To effectively implement Resolution No. 04/2024/NQ-HDTP of the Council of Judges of the Supreme People's Court, the Deputy Prime Minister requests the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Ministry of Public Security, Relevant ministries, branches, and People's Committees of coastal provinces and centrally run cities launched a peak period of law enforcement work to handle IUU fishing violations from central to local levels to create a substantial change in the fight against IUU fishing. Maximize the contents of Resolution No. 04/2024/NQ-HDTP of the Council of Judges of the Supreme People's Court and urgently consolidate records to handle violations according to regulations as soon as the resolution takes effect.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development presides over and coordinates with departments, ministries, branches, and localities in many forms of information and communication, widely propagating regulations on criminal handling related to the act of IUU fishing in Resolution No. 04/NQ-HDTP of the Council of Judges of the Supreme People's Court to create a change in the sense of law observance, deterrence, and education.

Prosecuting cases of brokering ships for illegal exploitation

The Deputy Prime Minister also requested the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to continue to perform well in its role as the Standing Agency of the National Steering Committee on IUU, Regularly monitor, urge, guide, and report on the results of implementing the task of combating IUU fishing.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development regularly inspects and supervises localities and relevant local authorities to implement regulations against IUU fishing, including at sea; promptly advises and proposes competent authorities to handle responsibilities for organizations and individuals who fail to fulfill assigned duties and tasks under the direction of the Secretariat, the Government, and the Prime Minister.

At the same time, preside and coordinate with localities that have fishing vessels violating illegal fishing in foreign waters and the Ministries of Agriculture and Rural Development, Police, and Foreign Affairs to thoroughly punish fishing schools. Violation cases have been discovered from the beginning of 2023 until now, completed and reported to the Prime Minister on results in September 2024.

Tighten the management of local fisheries exploitation activities

Chairman of the People's Committee of coastal provinces and centrally run cities focus on leading, directing, allocating sufficient resources, and assigning responsibilities to local agencies and competent forces to resolve the issue. Eliminate shortcomings and limitations, ensuring there is specific data and results to prove at the 5th EC inspection.

Direct the urgent completion of the issuance of fishing licenses, registration, inspection, marking of fishing vessels, installation of VMS equipment, and issuance of Food Safety Certificates for fishing vessels; Fully update fishing vessel data into the national fisheries database (VNFishbase), complete and report to the Prime Minister on implementation results in July 2024.

Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), Vietnam Tuna Association, and seafood export enterprises must be responsible for strictly complying with IUU regulations, purchasing, processing, and exporting seafood. Mined products must ensure traceability of origin.

The Vietnam Fisheries Association actively mobilizes its members to be exemplary and implement regulations against IUU fishing; Coordinate with agencies and functional forces to promptly report and denounce IUU fishing violations.