Vietnam has seriously implemented recommendations made by the European Commission (EC) to fight illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. (Photo: VNA) Regarding the legal framework, the ministry has closelycoordinated with the National Assembly (NA) committees and Government agenciesto integrate the EC regulations into domestic laws.
Notably, the Government proposed the legislatureapprove the Law on Fisheries in November 2017, and issued two decrees.Meanwhile, the ministry issued eight guiding circulars. As a result, the legalframework was basically completed in 2019, meeting requirements of the IUUfishing combat.
Vietnam is continuing to review, amend andsupplement the framework in line with the reality and international regulations,as recommended by the EC in its third inspection.
The MARD has set out programmes, projects and planson the sustainable development of the fishery sector, and the IUU fight, andproposed them to the PM for approval.
The PM has also instructed localities to reviewtheir fishing fleets, and upgrade their data and information in the NationalFisheries Database (VNFishbase), according to the ministry.
Twenty-six out of the 28 coastal cities andprovinces have completed the review of their fishing vessels to date.
Up to 97.65% of fishing boats measuring at least 15metres long nationwide have been equipped with the vessel monitoring system(VMS). The remainders are under supervision.
The fight against IUU fishing has seen the engagement of border guards and law enforcement forces at sea, among others. (Photo: VNA) Seafood traceability has been carried out inaccordance with the Fisheries Law and the Agreement on Port State Measures(PSMA).
Relating law enforcement and administrativepunishment by localities and competent forces, the ministry said from thebeginning of this year, the authorities have imposed fines on 2,111 cases with atotal of 44 billion VND (1.8 million USD).
In terms of international cooperation, Vietnamsigned the Joint Communiqué on Voluntary International Cooperation to Combat IUUFishing and to Promote Sustainable Fisheries Governance with Indonesia, amemorandum of understanding (MoU) on the use of a hotline to deal with IUUfishing with Brunei, along with other documents with Australia and the US.
Vietnam is negotiating to sign similar hotlines withThailand, Cambodia, Malaysia, and Indonesia, while effectively operating thatwith the Philippines, and materialising cooperation agreements in this field withThailand, Cambodia, and the Philippines./.
VNA
