Inspections and handling of IUU violations must be substantial and transparent

As of November 29, ministries, sectors, and localities had completed all 101 tasks assigned by the Prime Minister. Despite this, the Deputy Prime Minister assessed that the goal set more than eight years ago, removing the European Commission’s Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) Yellow Card, has yet to be achieved. He said the upcoming period demands faster and more decisive action.

He acknowledged challenges in managing activities across a vast marine area but said the monitoring approach must change, shifting focus toward onshore control and expanding the use of digital and telecommunications technologies. He stressed that completing the national fisheries database is an “essential solution,” enabling Vietnam to comprehensively monitor fishing vessels and prove seafood traceability.

Once the database is complete, he noted, Vietnam will be able to directly supply the EC with information on violating vessels, moored vessels, licensing processes, origin of seafood, and results of violation handling.

This week, working groups will inspect localities, including Border Guard units, fishing ports, and Sub-Departments of Fisheries, to determine whether progress represents “real transformations or is only on paper.”

The Deputy Prime Minister requested the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment to inform the EC of the new legal framework following amendments to Decrees 37/2024/ND-CP and 38/2024/ND-CP. He also directed the formation of inter-sectoral inspection teams from the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, the Ministry of Public Security, the Government Inspectorate, and the Ministry of National Defense to examine shortcomings in IUU prevention and control.

“Communication with the EC must be based on documents, data, and actual results,” he stressed.

100% of violations processed

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Phung Duc Tien reported that localities have handled “100% of violation cases,” with more than 4,037 cases penalized and fines totaling approximately VND 162 billion. Enforcement forces have initiated criminal proceedings in 91 IUU-related cases involving 138 defendants.

Of the 71 Vietnamese fishing vessels detained abroad, 53, nearly 74% have been processed. The remaining cases involve complications such as fake license plates or vessel owners who have relocated, requiring further verification.

All 79,243 fishing vessels nationwide have been registered in VNFishbase. Vessels not meeting operating conditions have been placed under strict control, with anchoring locations assigned to communal authorities and relevant forces. During the past week, the police brought to trial two cases involving three defendants charged with organizing illegal exit and entry for others and obstructing computer or telecommunications networks. All vessels that lost Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) connection or crossed maritime boundaries have been handled.

Regarding the EU warning on several swordfish shipments, Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien said the cases involve two businesses in Khanh Hoa. The Ministry has ordered a full review of records to clarify suspected fraud and is coordinating with the Ministry of Finance to cross-check supply chain data.

He added that the Ministry is preparing complete documentation for the upcoming EC inspection and coordinating with relevant agencies to amend the Fisheries Law, decrees, and circulars to ensure compatibility and synchronization.

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha reiterated that violation handling must be substantial and verifiable, including records, photos, videos, fine receipts, revoked licenses, and confiscated assets. “Actual results, backed by evidence, are what persuade partners that Vietnam is serious about combating IUU fishing,” he said.

For the swordfish fraud case in Khanh Hoa, he requested the province to take responsibility and report in detail this week on sanctions, causes of the fraud, and specific figures. “If there are violations, they must be fully handled. If there are signs of criminal offenses, the case must be transferred for prosecution and publicly announced.”

A representative of Viettel reported that VNFishbase is fully updated with vessel and crew data, integrated with the National Population Database, and synchronized with administrative penalty information. Procedures for registration, technical inspection, modification, and supervision are being continuously updated to ensure data is “correct, sufficient, clean, and live.”

The representative emphasized the need to integrate VMS and auxiliary systems to enable transparent monitoring and strict control of violations. He proposed that the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment develop a digital transformation master plan for fisheries and aquaculture management.

Technology enterprises, he added, are ready to support implementation, helping monitor vessels and crew at sea and potentially expanding traceability to aquaculture products.

The Deputy Prime Minister said such integrated data would streamline administrative procedures, enhance monitoring effectiveness, and strengthen international trust.

At the meeting, the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) reported that the United States has refused to recognize the equivalence of 12 Vietnamese fishing gears under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), creating trade and technical barriers. VASEP is working with relevant agencies to finalize the report for resubmission and proposed issuing Catch Certificates (COI) for 14 fishing gears already recognized as equivalent by the U.S.

The Deputy Prime Minister requested clear legal and technical solutions in monitoring fishing activities, aligning with requirements of both the U.S. and the EC. The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment must strengthen coordination with associations, experts, and relevant ministries.

Towards a comprehensive national fisheries and aquaculture database

He emphasized that the period until December 15 is critical for resolving outstanding issues. Ministries must re-check data on vessels detained abroad and explain discrepancies between Vietnamese and EC data, including cases involving disputed waters.

Localities must ensure administrative and criminal handling of violations is fully documented with invoices, confiscation records, canceled licenses, and images. Cases that cannot be completed due to statutes of limitation or special circumstances must be clearly explained.

He also ordered thorough inspections of VMS installation, administrative procedures, issuance of certificates of origin, fishing port management, and control of vessels ineligible for operation.

Regarding VNFishbase, he requested verification at each facility to ensure the system functions exactly as reported, interconnected, integrated, and multi-purpose. Any shortcomings must be addressed immediately. The Ministry must finalize the Regulation on Data Exploitation and Management this week, specifying user authorization and responsibilities, including vessel owners’ duty to maintain logs, routes, and catch declarations.

Viettel and VNPT will work with the Ministry to expand VNFishbase into a national database covering both fishing and aquaculture.

Localities must evaluate the system’s effectiveness and guide private ports in using it for vessel management and certification. They must also submit livelihood transition proposals for fisheries, including high-tech offshore aquaculture and development of services and tourism.

The Deputy Prime Minister requested ministries, sectors, and VASEP to continue reviewing the Fisheries Law to ensure harmonization with U.S. and EU regulations, leaving no legal gaps. While awaiting the revised law, agencies must prepare a compatibility report covering protected marine mammal species and fishing gears, and propose a Government Resolution on environmental protection and gear management.

To support international dialogue, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Justice will assign experts in law and foreign languages to assist the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment. All reports and data must be fully prepared for EC verification.