Prime Ministers orders improving legal framework for IUU fishing combat
VGP – Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh ordered subordinate levels to continue improving legal framework for combating illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, including regulations for handling IUU fishing violations.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh addresses the meeting on IUU fishing combat in Ha Noi, October 7, 2023. Photo: VGP
The Government chief made the above order while addressing the meeting on IUU fishing combat in Ha Noi on Saturday.
The meeting drew the participation of Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang, who is Chairman of the National Steering Committee for IUU fishing combat, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Minh Hoan, Minister-Chairman of the Government Office Tran Van Son, and leaders of several ministries, agencies and business associations. Leaders of 28 coastal cities and provinces attended the meeting via virtual format.
He urged authorities at all levels and press agencies to strengthen information on the fight against IUU fishing, particularly regulations on IUU fishing combat, to fishermen and related organizations and individuals.
Central and grassroots press agencies have to increase the frequency and quality of information regarding the outcomes of Viet Nam's fight against IUU fishing.
Functional agencies need to well coordinate with regional countries in controlling and handling IUU fishing violations in line with international law and humanitarian spirit while protecting the legitimate interests of Viet Nam and Vietnamese fishermen.
Prime Minister Pham tasked the Ministry of National Defense to coordinate with coastal provinces and cities and relevant central agencies to take drastic actions to put an end to illegal fishing in foreign waters.
He urged the Ministry of Public Security to promptly prosecute those who bring Vietnamese fishing vessels and fishermen to infringe upon foreign waters and coordinate with competent authorities to strengthen management of fishermen, fishing vessels, and fishing activities.
The Prime Minister requested the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to continue instructing and assisting localities in implementing recommendations to fight IUU fishing.
He demanded coastal provinces and cities to focus on creating sustainable and long-term livelihoods for residents while working closely with the Ministry of National Defense and relevant ministries and agencies to deploy drastic measures to prevent illegal fishing in foreign waters.
Localities have to coordinate closely with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to conduct comprehensive review and inspection of fishing vessels and put them to management.
They must direct law enforcement forces to strengthen inspection of fishing activities, impose strict punishments on vessels not equipped with VMS or infringe upon foreign waters, and update data on their fishing vessel fleets to the national fisheries database (VNFishbase).
Localities must also seriously monitor all fishing vessels entering and exiting harbors, ensure strict compliance with regulations on origin traceability, and strictly fine organizations and individuals who try to make deceptive dossiers for their seafood exports, he said.
The Prime Minister also urged localities to allocate enough resources in terms of manpower, finance, and equipment to functional forces to perform their tasks.
He asked the Viet Nam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) and other business associations to continue joining hands with the political system and competent authorities in the fight against IUU fishing and not to purchase and process IUU-related products.
Prime Minister Pham called on fishermen to uphold the sense of responsibility, abide by the Constitution and laws, engage in environmental protection, and promote their duty for their own benefits and for the benefits of their communities and the whole nation./.
