Prime Minister orders to resolutely combat IUU fishing

On October 21, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh chaired the 18^th meeting of the National Steering Committee for Combating Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing.

At the 17^th meeting of the Steering Committee held on October 14, the Prime Minister assigned 21 tasks to ministries, sectors, agencies, and localities to urgently put an end to IUU fishing. To date, eight of these tasks have been completed.

Accordingly, the Government has issued the Prime Minister’s Official Telegram on Combating IUU Fishing, an Action Plan for the Peak Month Against IUU Fishing, and directives requiring localities to review and announce the opening of fishing ports. The Government has also sought public feedback on amendments and supplements to the Decree on administrative penalties in the fisheries sector; promulgated provisional regulations on the announcement of fishing port openings; submitted updated reports on the results of combating IUU fishing to the European Commission (EC); strengthened communication campaigns on anti-IUU fishing; and developed programs to support fishermen in transitioning to alternative occupations and livelihoods.

Eleven other tasks are currently being implemented as scheduled, including inspecting imported seafood products; conducting professional training on Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS) operations; submitting reports to competent authorities to address issues arising during implementation; developing regulations on the management, operation, and use of vessel monitoring and alert systems; enhancing control and implementing solutions for the traceability of caught seafood to address origin fraud; and expanding international cooperation.

Two tasks have not yet been completed, including dispatching a working delegation to Malaysia for cooperation on combating IUU fishing and conducting a comprehensive inspection of key provinces with high risks of IUU fishing.

At the meeting, the Steering Committee conducted a thorough review and evaluation of each task assigned to every ministry, sector, and locality, particularly those that have not yet been completed or implemented. The review placed special emphasis on key areas such as fishing fleet management; monitoring, control, and surveillance of fishing activities; seafood traceability; and law enforcement and handling of IUU fishing violations.

Concluding the meeting, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh underscored that combating IUU fishing serves the benefits of every citizen, the sustainable development of the fisheries sector, and the interests of the nation. Therefore, all citizens, officials, and public servants must participate actively and carry out their responsibilities seriously and effectively.

The Prime Minister requested the Standing Committee of the National Steering Committee and the Government Office to coordinate in compiling weekly reports on the results of anti-IUU fishing. According to Regulation No. 366-QD/TW of the Politburo, these reports will form the basis for reviewing, assessing, and ranking the performance of organizations and individuals within the political system, particularly leaders.

The Prime Minister also requested ministries, sectors, and localities to continue strictly implementing the periodic reporting regime on the results of anti-IUU fishing to the Steering Committee. The Prime Minister emphasized that heads of ministries, sectors, and localities will be directly responsible to the Government and the Prime Minister if violations by fishing vessels recur or if progress in lifting the IUU "yellow card" is delayed.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment was assigned to coordinate with the Government Office in compiling weekly reports on the results of combating IUU fishing by ministries, sectors, and localities. They are also tasked with proposing work assignments for ministries, sectors, and localities under the principle of "six clarities" (clear person, clear task, clear timeline, clear responsibility, clear authority, and clear outcomes) while submitting updated reports on IUU prevention outcomes to the EC as required.

Ministries, sectors, and coastal provinces and cities, within their functions, duties, and delegated authority, must continue to effectively implement Directive No. 32-CT/TW dated April 10, 2024, of the Party Secretariat on strengthening the Party’s leadership in combating IUU fishing, as well as the directives of the Government and the Prime Minister and other relevant documents, most recently Official Telegram No. 198/CD-TTg on the "Peak Month Against IUU Fishing and Promoting Sustainable Fisheries Development," and the Action Plan for the Peak Month Against IUU Fishing.

The Prime Minister acknowledged significant progress in fishing vessel management and monitoring, with 286 new fishing licenses issued, more than 99% of vessels equipped with VMS devices, 58 fishing ports officially opened, 21 criminal cases with 22 defendants prosecuted, and one case with two offenders brought to trial for IUU violations. However, he expressed dissatisfaction that 5,712 vessels remain unlicensed, and many fishing ports have yet to be authorized for operation.

Notably, the Prime Minister pointed out that some localities still allow unqualified fishing vessels to operate, with a total of 6,004 vessels. 292 vessels remain unregistered, concentrated in Vinh Long, Quang Ngai, An Giang, and Ho Chi Minh City. Several violations of foreign waters have yet to be handled thoroughly; case files referred to judicial authorities are delayed; and the completion of traceability documentation and the national fisheries database remains limited.

Therefore, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh directed all relevant ministries, sectors, and localities to complete fishing license issuance within the coming week and to strictly prohibit unqualified vessels from operating. All fishing vessels must have VMS installed and connected; disconnections must be eliminated. He also required the completion of licensing for qualified fishing ports, support for remaining ports to meet the required standards for licensing, and the finalization of seafood traceability documentation and the national fisheries database.

The Prime Minister reaffirmed that the Party and the State have no higher goal than safeguarding national independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, while ensuring a happier and more prosperous life for the people. However, any violations of the law must be strictly handled for the stable and sustainable development of the fisheries sector, for the reputation of the nation, and for the long-term interests of every citizen. Thus, it is essential to resolutely combat IUU fishing.

In that spirit, the Prime Minister assigned specific tasks to ministries, sectors, and localities. The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment must urgently issue a temporary set of criteria to identify fishing ports eligible for certification of caught seafood origin within the next week; chair and coordinate with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of National Defense, and Ministry of Public Security in preparing dossiers, evidence, and technical reports for the 5th working session with the EC delegation; and coordinate with the Viet Nam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) and the media to develop a program titled "Concrete Actions—Lifting the IUU Yellow Card."

The Ministry of National Defense must continue patrolling, preventing, and handling fishing vessels violating foreign waters; put into operation a fishing vessel control system across all maritime zones by October 30, 2025; and finalize the Maritime Coordination Regulation by October 25, 2025. The Ministry will also direct Viettel Group to coordinate with VNPT in completing the integration of the vessel monitoring data system and deploy the VMS disconnection alert system and e-logbook, to be completed by October 30, 2025.

The Ministry of Public Security is assigned to focus on investigating, prosecuting, and strictly adjudicating IUU-related cases, particularly those involving organized networks facilitating fishing vessels crossing maritime boundaries. The Ministry is also tasked with coordinating with the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment and localities to implement the VNeID system for managing fishermen and fishing vessels.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will continue to coordinate with relevant agencies in preparing for the upcoming technical dialogue with the EC and proactively work with Malaysia to clarify information regarding the two detained Vietnamese fishing vessels. The Ministry of Justice must promptly appraise the draft Decree amending Decree No. 38/2024/ND-CP on administrative penalties in the fisheries sector.

The Prime Minister also required coastal localities to strictly implement the directives of the Central Government, the Government, and the National Steering Committee for combating IUU fishing. This includes reviewing and officially announcing IUU-compliant fishing ports by October 30, 2025, and resolving all pending cases, including vessels with lost VMS connection, boundary violations, and illegal fishing in foreign waters, by October 31, 2025.

Media agencies are to continue strengthening communication efforts domestically and internationally to promote the image of fishermen, law enforcement forces, and businesses actively complying with IUU regulations. Industry associations and enterprises must strictly adhere to the prohibition on purchasing, processing, or exporting seafood products originating from IUU fishing and should encourage and commend exemplary members and fishermen who comply well, while criticizing IUU violations.

In particular, the Prime Minister requested that ministries, sectors, and localities develop programs for occupational and livelihood transition for fishermen and propose support measures if needed. Inspection agencies are to dispatch delegations to localities to clarify the responsibilities of organizations and individuals and recommend strict handling in accordance with regulations.