Unable to remove the "yellow card", seafood exports to the EU will face risks in the coming time. Photo: NT.

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The EC's IUU "yellow card" has constantly declined Vietnam's seafood exports to this market from 2017 until now. Comparing the export results of 2017-2019, after 2 years of being affected by the IUU "yellow card", seafood export turnover to the EU market decreased by 12%, equivalent to 183.5 million USD. Accordingly, the total export turnover of aquatic products recorded a plummet of over 10% after 2 years, equivalent to a decrease of 43 million USD, of which octopus was hit severely with a decline of 37%, while bivalve Mollusca and tuna was down by 11% and nearly 2%, respectively. Exports of aquaculture products to the EU decreased by 13% from 2017 to 2019.

This downward trend prolonged longer in 2020, mainly due to the double impact of the COVID-19 epidemic, the IUU "yellow card", and Brexit. Seafood exports to this market decreased by 5.7% compared to the previous year, 2019, only reaching 959 million USD. By 2022 - after 5 years- the proportion of seafood exports to the EU market had slopped to 9.4%. Since 2019, the EU has dropped from 2nd to 4th position in Vietnamese seafood import markets, after the US, Japan and China. Notably, Vietnamese seafood is also at risk of losing the EU market if Vietnam's seafood exploitation industry is fined a "red card" by the EC unless there are no solutions and drastic actions to comply with regulations against IUU fishing.

It is expected that in October 2023, the European Commission (EC) Inspection Team will conduct the 4th assessment on the implementation of strong measures against illegal, unreported and unregulated seafood exploitation. (IUU) of Vietnam. This is also the 6th anniversary of the EC's "yellow card" warning for Vietnam's exploited seafood.

To remove the "Yellow Card" for Vietnamese seafood, EC inspectors have recommended 4 feasible contents. The first is to complete the system of legal documents on fishing; The second is fleet management and monitoring; The third is tracing the origin of exploited aquatic products; and finally, handling administrative violations.

6 years after being given the "yellow card", many localities are not serious enough in implementing the content of seafood traceability and even lax in handling violations.

According to Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Phung Duc Tien, the IUU "yellow card" imposed on Vietnamese seafood has greatly affected exports, with 100% control of shipments and prolonged customs clearance times to 2 – 3 weeks, resulting in cost escalation. The EU market and other markets, such as Japan and the United States, have all raised full awareness of this issue, testified and asked us to explain the effect of the position of Vietnamese seafood in the international arena.

Completing the legal corridor

To remove the "yellow card" for Vietnamese seafood, Vietnam has completed the legal corridor on solid measures against illegal, unreported and unregulated seafood exploitation.

Until now, Vietnam has completed the legal framework, such as reviewing, amending and supplementing the 2017 Fisheries Law, 2 decrees and 8 circulars. These legal documents have oriented the fishing industry to develop sustainably and responsibly while meeting international and EC regulations.

However, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development assessment, in 2023, local fishing vessels have still violated foreign waters. "Currently, to remove the EC 'yellow card' for seafood, Vietnam must reduce marine exploitation output, but to develop the economy and ensure fishermen's lives, the value of seafood must be increased. Therefore, there is no other way than to improve the efficiency of mining activities and increase processing value. Localities must continue to review to develop fleets and monitor fishing according to planned sea areas..." Mr. Tran Dinh Luan, General Director of the Directorate of Fisheries, emphasized.

To prepare and work with the EC Inspection Team to achieve the best results, determined to remove the IUU "yellow card" warning, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development requests the Chairmen of People's Committees of coastal provinces and cities to strictly implement the direction of the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister and the ministry's instructions on IUU (combating illegal, unreported and unregulated seafood exploitation). Localities focus on directing the implementation of strong measures to prevent and stop the situation of fishing vessels and fishermen violating illegal seafood exploitation in foreign waters. Investigate, verify and thoroughly handle the situation of brokering and connecting fishing vessels and fishermen to exploit seafood in foreign waters illegally. Additionally, strictly implement the management of fishing vessels to screen and classify to ensure monitoring and supervision of the entire fleet's activities, and handle violations according to legal regulations; especially "3 no" fishing vessels.

Strictly control fishing vessels entering and exiting ports, fishing vessels entering and exiting ports at border posts and stations; Monitor registration and fishing license issuance, fully update fishing vessel data into the national fisheries database (VNFishbase); Prevent and strictly handle unqualified fishing vessels, especially fishing vessels that do not comply with VMS regulations participating in fishing activities. Besides, implement confirmation and certification of traceability of exploited aquatic products to ensure legality; Organize specialized inspection and examination of enterprises importing exploited aquatic materials for processing and export to the European market.

At the same time, organizations and individuals who intentionally violate and legalize export shipment records must strictly handle according to the provisions of administrative and criminal laws; Accordingly, 100% of fishing vessels must dock at designated ports, 100% of locally exploited aquatic products must be supervised. Localities must carry out peak patrols, inspections, controls, and sanctions for administrative violations in the fisheries sector; especially focusing on strictly and thoroughly handling cases of illegal seafood exploitation in foreign seas….