Illustrative image (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – A delegation from theEuropean Commission (EC) will convene an online meeting with the Directorate ofFisheries on October 27 to review Vietnam’s efforts against illegal, unreportedand undocumented fishing (IUU), said the directorate's Deputy General Director Nguyen QuangHung.
During a regular pressconference of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development on October 5, Hungsaid the Directorate of Fisheries already sent a report on Vietnam’s work to end IUU over the past years tothe EC.
Over the past nearly fouryears, Vietnam has implemented many measures from the central to local levels, withthe involvement of ministries, agencies and the media, he said, adding that this year, Deputy PrimeMinister Le Van Thanh , head of the National Steering Committee on IUU, convened a meeting on the implementation of such measures, and PrimeMinister Pham Minh Chinh also chaired an online meeting on the issue.
The official said with the drastic involvement ofministries and agencies, Vietnam expects to have the "yellow card" warning of the EC lifted by2022-2023.
Hung added that if communesdeliver on their commitment of ending fishing vessels' violations in foreign waters byDecember 31, 2021, the country can focus on existing problems inside the country and solve them within 2022.
In its draft project on IUUprevention and control, the Directorate of Fisheries also set the goal ofhaving yellow card removed by 2022-2023.
At the press conference, Deputy Minister ofAgriculture and Rural Development Phung Duc Tien said a meeting will be held inlate October to focus on ways to intensify all four groups of measures. He also highlighted theimportant role of the media to raise public awareness of the issue, as well as the need for strict punishment of violations related to IUU./.
