Vietnam works hard to respond to EC’s warning of IUU fishing
Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) Nguyen Xuan Cuong
Cuong gave the information at a working session with representatives from the Directorate of Fisheries on May 14, which was to review achievements of the country in dealing with the EC’s "yellow card" warning to Vietnam, and to prepare for a working trip by a delegation of the EC Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, which will start on May 15, to inspect and measure efforts of Vietnam in the work.
Contents mentioned in the recommendations were included in the revised Law on on Fisheries, which will come into effect in 2019, Cuong added, stressing that this a great step that Vietnam has done so far, towards building sustainable and responsible fisheries industry and improving the income for local fishermen, Cuong stressed.
He affirmed departments under the MARD will work with the delegation in the spirit of highest responsibility, transparency and publicity, focusing on clarifying what have been done by Vietnam so that the EC can verify.
It is necessary to show achievements made by the country in the work, while listening to the EU’s suggestions, towards devising a specific action programme to overcome shortcomings in the coming time, he noted.
Cuong also underlined the need to reassess infrastructure facilities serving sustainable fisheries development such as wharfs, fishing ports and anchorages, thus making recommendations to the Government.
Attention should also be paid to reviewing the application of high technologies and information technology in managing fishing ships and fishing grounds, in order to ensure a modern fisheries sector, he said.
According to Nguyen Ngoc Oai, acting General Director of the Directorate of Fisheries, the delegation will work with representatives of the MARD and those from coastal localities, seafood producers, the MARD’s Department of Animal Health and National Agro-Forestry-Fisheries Quality Assurance Department.
The Directorate of Fisheries set up an IUU office, which will provide all relevant documents to serve the working sessions with the delegation, Oai said.
A fishery database system has been launched, he noted, adding that this is an important measure to better the management of offshore fishing activities.
On October 23, 2017, the EC issued a "yellow card" warning to Vietnam, after the country failed to demonstrate sufficient progress in the fight against IUU fishing worldwide. Though the measure was considered a warning, which would not technically affect the EC trade policy, the Vietnamese fishing industry was concerned that the yellow card would seriously harm the reputation of Vietnamese seafood worldwide, thus weakening sales.
The nine recommendations included revision of the legal framework to ensure compliance with international and regional rules applicable to the conservation and management of fisheries resources, ensuring the effective implementation and enforcement of the country’s revised laws, and strengthening the effective implementation of international rules and management measures.
According to EC’s requirement, the Vietnamese seafood sector had to implement nine recommendations in six months from October 23, 2017, to April 23, 2018.
The EC also wanted Vietnam to issue sanctions and increase the level of sanctions against IUU fishing, which should be written in the revised Law on Fisheries, and give concrete evidence proving Vietnam’s efforts in the fight against IUU fishing.
On April 20, Vietnam submitted a report on its efforts to address IUU fishing to the EC. The delegation’s upcoming inspection is to assess local IUU fishing prevention.
Related News
Bright spots at the beginning of the year
10:51 | 23/03/2024 Headlines
Vietnam experiences a trade surplus of over US$11 billion in two months
13:47 | 15/03/2024 Import-Export
The Minister of Finance chaired the Vietnam - Korea Financial Investment Promotion Conference
09:50 | 11/03/2024 Finance
Hundreds of billions of dong are collected from exporting one type of drink every month
09:21 | 10/03/2024 Import-Export
Latest News
Gov’t determined to hasten ODA, concessional loan disbursement: Deputy PM
14:55 | 28/03/2024 Headlines
Vietnam, US hold first foreign ministerial-level dialogue
15:49 | 26/03/2024 Headlines
Adaptive, fundamental, and synchronous solutions to improve the effectiveness of attracting FDI
09:52 | 26/03/2024 Headlines
Vietnam attends 148th IPU Assembly in Geneva
15:41 | 25/03/2024 Headlines
More News
More Vietnamese people go cashless: Visa study
15:39 | 25/03/2024 Headlines
Without resolving three significant bottlenecks, real estate market's revival will face numerous challenges
19:39 | 24/03/2024 Headlines
Top Finnish legislator begins official visit to Việt Nam
19:36 | 24/03/2024 Headlines
Build advantages - Secure the future with Vietnam ESG 2024 Initiative
15:39 | 24/03/2024 Headlines
Nearly 20 commercial banks lower deposit rates
17:52 | 23/03/2024 Headlines
Breakthrough policies look towards green economy
17:51 | 23/03/2024 Headlines
Vietnam remains attractive destination for foreign investors
17:49 | 23/03/2024 Headlines
Vietnam pledges to continue contributing to UNESCO’s common affairs
15:58 | 21/03/2024 Headlines
Vice State President now Acting President
15:35 | 21/03/2024 Headlines
Your care
Gov’t determined to hasten ODA, concessional loan disbursement: Deputy PM
14:55 | 28/03/2024 Headlines
Vietnam, US hold first foreign ministerial-level dialogue
15:49 | 26/03/2024 Headlines
Adaptive, fundamental, and synchronous solutions to improve the effectiveness of attracting FDI
09:52 | 26/03/2024 Headlines
Vietnam attends 148th IPU Assembly in Geneva
15:41 | 25/03/2024 Headlines
More Vietnamese people go cashless: Visa study
15:39 | 25/03/2024 Headlines