PM urges to not remain powerless against violations in seafood exploitation

On the afternoon of September 23, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh chaired the 14^th session of the National Steering Committee on Combating Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing (referred to as IUU Steering Committee).

The session was held directly at the Government Headquarters and online with 21 coastal provinces and cities. Attending the session were Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha; Ministers and Heads of ministerial-level agencies and government-affiliated agencies; leaders of central ministries, sectors, and IUU Steering Committee members; as well as leaders of coastal provinces and cities.

Opening the session, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh emphasized that Vietnam is a maritime nation with abundant aquatic resources, and its people have a long tradition of offshore fishing and seafood exploitation. The most important thing is that seafood exploitation must comply with international regulations and Vietnamese law.

The Secretariat has issued directives, while the Government and the National Steering Committee on Combating IUU Fishing have held 13 sessions and organized four inspection delegations in localities. They have also advised on the issuance of one directive of the Secretariat, two directives of the Prime Minister, and eight official dispatches of the Prime Minister to guide ministries, sectors, and coastal localities in implementing IUU fishing prevention and control and addressing the "yellow card" warning of the European Commission (EC).

After eight years, despite many efforts, cases of IUU fishing still occur, and the EC has not yet lifted the IUU "yellow card" warning. The imposition of the IUU "yellow card" on Vietnamese seafood has affected seafood exports and damaged the country's prestige and reputation. In particular, it reflects on the effectiveness of leadership, direction, and management by party committees and governments at all levels, from central to local.

The Prime Minister stressed that the goal is to put an end to IUU fishing so that the EC can lift the IUU "yellow card" warning. He noted that the remaining time until the end of the year is very limited, and in October 2025, the EC's inspection delegation will conduct an assessment in Vietnam.

Particularly, amid the risk of Vietnamese seafood facing market contraction and difficulties due to other countries' tariff policies, the removal of the IUU "yellow card" by the EC will help Vietnamese seafood regain and expand its markets, thereby raising incomes for local communities.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh emphasized that authorities cannot remain powerless in the face of violations in seafood exploitation and expressed the expectation that this would be the final session of the Steering Committee, marking the end of IUU fishing in the country.

The Prime Minister requested that delegates provide a detailed assessment of the situation, particularly reviewing the roles and responsibilities of party committees and governments in leadership, direction, management, and measures taken to lift the IUU "yellow card," as well as public awareness.

In addition, delegates must clearly identify the causes and propose decisive solutions, in the spirit of "what is promised must be done, and what is committed must be effectively implemented." At the same time, it is essential to strictly comply with the Secretariat's Directive No. 32-CT/TW dated April 10, 2024, on strengthening the Party’s leadership in combating IUU fishing and sustainably developing the fisheries sector.