Viet Nam willing to work with U.S. to address fisheries issue

Pham made the above statement in reply to a reporter's inquiry regarding the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC)'s refusal to recognize 12 Vietnamese seafood occupations under the U.S. Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA).

Pham said, on September 15, Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien sent a letter to the U.S. Secretary of Commerce, asking the U.S. Department of Commerce and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reconsider the decision to refuse recognition of 12 Vietnamese seafood occupations under the MMPA, in order to avoid serious disruptions to bilateral trade and safeguard the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of Vietnamese fishermen and workers.

Guided by the Government and supported by localities, Viet Nam's fisheries sector has recently made efforts to modernize, enhance responsibility, and strengthen fisheries management.

On the basis of Viet Nam-U.S. comprehensive strategic partnership, Viet Nam stands ready to hold discussions and work with the U.S. to resolve existing obstacles and further promote fair and sustainable bilateral trade cooperation, ensuring the legitimate interests of fishermen and businesses of both countries, the Spokesperson emphasized./.