Hanoi (VNA) – Since Vietnam received a “yellowcard” warning from the European Commission (EC) in October 2017 on illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU)fishing, the country has taken various measures to settle the problem and enjoyedpositive results.

Right in November 2017, Vietnam finalized and passed the FisheriesLaw, institutionalising EC’s recommendations on IUU fishing prevention.

Following the adoption of the law, a system of legaldocuments guiding its implementation were introduced, including twoGovernment’s decrees, one decision by the Prime Minister and eight circularsfrom the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD).

Particularly, on May 20, 2019, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phucissued Decision No. 596/QD-TTg on the establishment of the National SteeringCommittee on IUU fishing prevention led by Deputy PM Trinh Dinh Dung, with membersincluding leaders of relevant ministries, sectors and 28 coastal localities.

Commenting on the outcomes of the measures taken, MARDDeputy Minister Phung Duc Tien said that Vietnam has strived to realize foursolutions suggested by the EC, including the completion of the legal framework,the installation of monitoring systems on fishing vessels to control theiroperation,law enforcement and origin tracing of aquatic products.

Tien said that so far, the country’s efforts in completingthe legal system has been shown in the Fisheries Law 2017 and guidingdocuments, noting that all localities have been equipped with monitoring systemsto supervise, check and manage fishing vessels’ operation.

Management boards of fishing ports have been active intracing the origins of seafood, he said, adding that the MARD has classifiedthe port system into two types to facilitate the work and included relevant storagefacilities and refrigeration warehouses in its planning.

Communications activities have also been prioritised toboost fishermen’s awareness on respecting the 2017 Law on Fisheries andresponsible fishing, the official noted.

According to the MARD, from the beginning of 2018, noVietnamese ships have been found to fish illegally in the Pacific.

Meanwhile, localities have stepped up checks of fishingvessels leaving or docking at ports in line with regulations, particularlythose on safety requirements. Some have even applied harsh punishments forviolating vessels like revoking licences without further granting new ones. Thepatrol and inspection of major waters have also been effectively coordinatedamong law enforcement agencies at sea.

Between 2018 and now, the MARD has sent 18 workingdelegations at different levels to examine and direct anti-IUU activities atvarious localities.

Most recently, on November 17,replying to reporters’ questions related to theEuropean Commission (EC)’s visit to Vietnam to assess the country’s efforts inimplementing the EC’s recommendations on fighting IUU fishing, Foreign Ministryspokesperson Le Thi Thu Hang said officials from the Directorate General forMaritime Affairs and Fisheries (DG – MARE) will work in Vietnam fromNovember 4-14. They are scheduled to make field trips to a number of localitiesto check the implementation of the warning.

Over the past time, Vietnamese agencies, localities and organisations havedrastically implemented solutions to build a sustainable and responsiblefisheries sector, and curb the IUU fishing on the basis of the EC’s recommendations, she highlighted.

Vietnam is willing to coordinate with the EC in combating IUU fishing, the officialaffirmed.

Meanwhile, the Directorate of Fisheries said Vietnam’s fight against the IUUhas reaped noteworthy outcomes, including the legalization of international andregional regulations in the Fisheries Law 2017 and relevant instructiondocuments, and the improvement of awareness of fisheries management agencies atall levels, fishermen and enterprises about the importance of preventing IUUfishing.

The violation and illegally fishing by fishing vessels and fishermen in thewaters of countries in the Pacific has ceased. Many provinces and cities haveremoved or reduced the number of fishing vessels and fishermen with illegalfishing in foreign waters.

The inspection and control of fishing vessels operating at sea and portinspections have initially made progress, while international cooperationactivities in the field of fishing are promoted. Vietnam has been activelyjoining and implementing international treaties and conventions towards a modern, responsible and sustainable fishery./.