MAE to simplify marine data access and sharing

The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment has just issued Circular No. 22/2026/TT-BNNMT, amending and supplementing several circulars related to the decentralization, reduction and simplification of administrative procedures under the Ministry's state management.

These include the fields of: crop production and plant protection; quality management of agro-forestry and fishery products; climate change; science and technology; integrated management of marine and island resources and environment; animal husbandry and veterinary medicine and environment.

Regarding the integrated management of marine and island resources and environment, this Circular amends Article 11 of Circular No. 20/2016/TT-BTNMT, which regulates the construction of the marine and island resources and environment database, aiming to clarify the principles of using this database.

Under the new regulations, data sharing must ensure timely service for state management, meet socio-economic development requirements and simultaneously align with national defense and security needs. The provided data must be complete, accurate, on time and perfectly match the requested content.

Notably, there is a strict requirement to use data for the right purposes, efficiently, and in full compliance with regulations on protecting state secrets. The use of the marine and island resources and environment database are carried out in accordance with the Law on Access to Information; organizations and individuals using the data must fulfill their financial obligations under current regulations.

Significantly, data sharing under a contract will be carried out in accordance with an agreement between the database management agency and the requesting organizations or individuals, in accordance with civil law and other related regulations.

Along with these amendments, the Circular repeals Articles 12, 13, and 14 of Circular No. 20/2016/TT-BTNMT. The removal of obsolete regulations is considered a critical step to simplify procedures, reduce overlaps and create more favorable conditions in the process of accessing and sharing marine data.