Vietnam is willing to intensify cooperation with regional countries and international communities in combating illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

Fishing boats dock at Danang, Vietnam. Photo: Hoang Hiep/Baodanang

Spokesperson Le Thi Thu Hang of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said at the press conference today [July 7] in response to a question on the possibility of the US cooperation with Vietnam in combating IUU fishing.

“We are interested in this information,” Hang said, affirming that Vietnam expected the cooperation will promote effective and sustainable fisheries management in accordance with international law.

Regarding Vietnam’s stance on IUU fishing, Hang said it’s consistent and made public. Accordingly, Vietnam plans to develop maritime economy with suitable exploitation of maritime sources in accordance with regulations on IUU fishing stipulated in international agreements that Vietnam has signed.

Among those, Vietnam has closely followed the provisions of United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) on Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks, and the Agreement on Port State Measures (PSMA) which is the first binding international agreement to specifically target illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

Hang added that Vietnam has completed its legal framework on fisheries coupled with minimizing IUU fishing and ending illegal fishing abroad.

The activities also include raising fishermen’s awareness of respecting other countries’ waters established in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) 1982.

Vietnam also actively and responsibly participates in international forums and regional action plans to combat IUU fishing, Hang emphasized.