Clear backlog, determinedly break out of EC yellow card

Quickly and thoroughly implementing the directives of the Standing Committee of the Secretariat, the Prime Minister and the conclusions of the National Steering Committee on IUU, Nghe An has executed many urgent solutions to overcome the yellow card warning of the European Commission (EC). After more than 3 years, the obtained results are remarkable.

Thanks to orientation from the Central Government, drastic instruction from the Provincial People's Committee, timely participation of specialized agencies (Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Sub-Department of Fisheries...) and local authorities, after more than 3 years of serious implementation, it is clear to see that the awareness of relevant parties, especially ship owners and the majority of fishermen has clearly improved. The concept of "legal fishing" is no longer a strange thing to them.

In the recent time, Nghe An seafood industry has prioritized implementing many "key" contents, for example: Drastically implement the contents according to the MARD’s request on countermeasures regarding IUU fishing; continue to review, supplement and correct existing contents mentioned by the inspection team of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in Notice No. 152/TB-SNN-TS dated April 22nd, 2021 on the inspection for the regulation execution at fishing ports, the performance of duties of the Inter-sectoral Working Group and fishing vessels engaged in fishing activities.

Another highlight is the settlement, financial support for the purchase, installation and operation of cruise monitoring equipment and service subscription fees for installed cruise monitoring equipment for fishing vessels with the largest length of 15m or more... In 2020 alone, the implementation budget has reached over VND 6.27 billion, which is remarkable in the context of the Covid-19 epidemic.

Apart from the positive aspects, the EC yellow card corrective works still have certain problems, which are both subjective and objective.

The recording and submission of fisherman's diaries are incomplete, some of them have not strictly followed the notice before docking/leaving the port; equipment to monitor fishing vessel's journey frequently loses connection signal, fishing boat owners are inexperienced in using the device; violations in fishing activities still take place…

From the practical requirements, Nghe An seafood industry is determined to continue promoting propaganda, education and dissemination of legal regulations on fisheries activities, along with Fisheries Law 2017, regulations on IUU fishing…

Nghe An seafood industry will also regularly maintain the operation of the interdisciplinary working groups for inspection and control at fishing ports; resolutely not allowing fishing vessels to go out to sea without fully meeting the procedures, and at the same time strictly handle cases of intentional violations…

Nghe An Department of Agriculture and Rural Development recommends that the MARD soon send a written request to the Ministry of Finance to transfer the Fisheries Surveillance KN-101-VN vessel under the Region I Sub-Department of Fisheries to the Nghe An Sub-Department of Fisheries to well implement the “Plan against Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing”, and overcome the EC yellow card warning in the near future.