Fishing boats in Ca Mau (Photo: VNA) Local agencies at all levels have regarded the combatas an urgent and regular task and have mobilised resources for the work, joiningthe country’s efforts in removing the EC’s “yellow card” warning, and buildinga responsible fishery sector with sustainable development and internationalintegration.
The provincial Department of Agriculture and RuralDevelopment said up to 99 percent of fishing boats, measuring 15m and above inlength, have installed monitoring devices.
The cooperation of ship owners will make it easier forcompetent agencies to monitor fishing activities and handle incidents at sea,it said.
The Chairperson of the provincial People’s Committeehas ordered competent forces to regularly check the vessel monitoring system,saying any violations must be strictly handled.
On October 23, 2017, the EC issued a "yellowcard" warning against Vietnam's seafood, after the country failed to demonstratesufficient progress in the fight against IUU fishing.
Countries that fail to meet EC standards are given a"yellow card", followed by a "green card" if the problemsare resolved, or a "red card" if they are not. A red card can lead toa trade ban on seafood products.
According to the EC's requirements, the Vietnamese seafoodsector had to implement nine recommendations, included revisions of the legalframework to ensure compliance with international and regional rules,applicable to the conservation and management of fisheries resources; ensuringthe effective implementation and enforcement of the country’s revised laws; andstrengthening the effective implementation of international rules andmanagement measures.
The EC also wanted Vietnam to issue sanctions andincrease the level of sanctions against IUU fishing, which should be written inthe revised Law on Fisheries, and give concrete evidence proving Vietnam’sefforts in the fight against IUU fishing./.
VNA
