Vietnam’s Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has called for strong enforcement of rules against illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing for the nation’s long-term interest. 

Vietnam's Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh speaks at the meeting on October 7. Photos: Nhat Bac/VGP

Prime Minister Chinh made the request at a government meeting held on October 7, ahead of the visit by a European Commission inspection team which is scheduled for later this month.

The prime minister called for stricter measures and greater commitment from all stakeholders at all levels to fully meet the international obligations to combat IUU fishing while ensuring the livelihoods and securing fishermen’s responsibilities.

At the meeting, officials from various ministries, agencies, and leaders of 28 coastal cities and provinces discussed the need to complete the regulatory framework related to seafood exploitation; prevent violations in foreign waters.

It's important to promote public education, examine records to prove the origin of aquatic products, develop livelihoods and aquaculture, and protect the marine ecosystem.

To thoroughly deal with IUU fishing, the prime minister asked various ministries to take drastic measures and concrete steps to ensure better implementation.

First and foremost is the commitment of Defense Ministry, in cooperation with relevant agencies and coastal localities, to prevent Vietnamese fishing vessels from entering foreign waters.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development is required to supervise the fishing boat fleets in coastal areas and the prevention of IUU fishing and to work with relevant localities to facilitate the upcoming inspection by the EC delegation. Accordingly, the ministry must ensure that the national fisheries database (VNFishbase) is updated to manage the fishing boat fleets.

“To achieve the best outcomes during the EC inspection, localities must cooperate, ask for advice, be open, truthful, and humble,” Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said. 

Representatives of ministries of defense, public security, agriculture and rural development, and fisheries association at the meeting.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs needs to convey Vietnam’s message on handling violations and efforts to end them soon.

Information on combating IUU fishing should be disseminated through the media to raise public awareness of the role of all stakeholders in ensuring national interests and international obligations.

The EC inspection delegation will work with Vietnam later this month for the fourth time on IUU fishing since the country was given a “yellow card” on its seafood exports in October 2017 after a number of Vietnamese fishing vessels were caught trespassing in neighboring waters.

The inspection is aimed at the implementing the EC’s recommendations on IUU fishing, with a focus on the tracking of fishing vessel activities in Vietnamese waters, vessel activities at sea and vessel arrivals and departures at ports. It also includes tracing the origin of imported raw materials and seafood.

According to the Agreement on Port State Measures (PSMA), they will conduct on-site inspections at designated fishing ports and in the vicinity.

The fisheries sector contributes significantly to the socio-economic development of coastal communities. Seafood is one of Vietnam’s key export staples, bringing about US$11 billion in 2022, up 23.8% on year.