Deputy minister urges closely controlling entry, exit of fishing vessels, Illustrative image (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi – Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Phung Duc Tien has asked localities to closely control the entry and exit of fishing vessels at ports, and prevent unqualified fishing vessels from exploitation activities, thus making thorough preparations for the fourth on-site inspection by the European Commission (EC) in this October.

They were also urged to raise public awareness of regulations on fighting illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, especially among fishermen and officials at the grassroots level.

Tien noted that following the third inspection, the EC delegation pointed out four shortcomings that need to be fixed, including legal framework, fleet management, traceability of exploited aquatic products, and law enforcement.

About legal documents, Vietnam has basically met requirements. At present, the process of amending and supplementing Decree No. 42/2019/ND-CP on administrative penalties for violations in the fisheries sector and Decree No. 26/2019/ND-CP providing detailed provisions and measures for implementing the Fisheries Law is undergoing review by the Ministry of Justice and will be submitted to the Prime Minister for issuance.

Nguyen Quang Hung, Director of the Vietnam Fisheries Surveillance, said the EC has acknowledged Vietnam's outstanding achievements in the work with concerted efforts from ministries, agencies and localities.

The installation of vessel monitoring system (VMS) on large-capacity vessels and the issuance of exploitation licenses and registrations, has reached about 98%. Localities need to do the remaining work before the EC delegation arrives, he said.

Localities must strive to ensure that no violations occur in foreign waters from now and October. Only then could Vietnam see the opportunity to have the "yellow card" warning lifted, he added.

He informed that in the coming time, the National Steering Committee on IUU Fishing Prevention will hold a conference to draw lessons from the intensive efforts over the 180-day period to address the "yellow card" status.