Urgent deployment of plans to receive the EC's Inspection Team on IUU

On the afternoon of October 4, the Steering Committee for anti-Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (anti-IUU) fishing in Ba Ria - Vung Tau province held a meeting to prepare for the European Commission's Inspection Team. The EC's Inspection Team is scheduled to visit Vietnam from October 10 to October 18, 2023.

During the meeting, Ms. Pham Thi Na, Deputy Director of Ba Ria - Vung Tau province's Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, and Deputy Head of the Provincial Permanent IUU Steering Committee, provided details regarding the inspection team's working schedule in the province. The EC's inspection team will focus on various aspects, including legal frameworks, law enforcement, the management and monitoring of fishing vessels, and the verification and certification of the origin of seafood exported to Europe.

The team will also inspect the control of foreign fishing vessels operating in Vietnam's waters, monitor the activities of IUU fishing in fishing ports, and supervise the quantity of seafood at the provincial fishing ports.

According to Ba Ria - Vung Tau province's Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Vietnam's legal framework regarding IUU fishing has been well-established. However, approximately 100 fishing vessels in the province lack a vessel monitoring system, and 1,572 vessels remain unregistered. However, a significant portion of these vessels either currently resides in an inactive state along the shoreline or has been engaged in extended offshore operations without returning to port.

Regarding law enforcement, local governments have taken strict actions against IUU violations. Following the proposal of Ba Ria - Vung Tau province, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development removed two out of five fishing ports from the list of ports authorized to verity the origin of harvested seafood due to non-compliance with legal requirements. However, the province continues to grapple with 113 unresolved cases of administrative violations pertaining to the disconnection of vessel monitoring systems for durations exceeding ten days. This situation predominantly arises from vessels operating at significant distances offshore, rendering them inaccessible for communication.

To effectively implement the tasks of receiving and collaborating with the European Commission's Inspection Team, and to reaffirm the commitment, dedication, and determination of Ba Ria - Vung Tau Province in executing the EC's recommendations regarding anti-IUU fishing, Ba Ria - Vung Tau Provincial People's Committee has instructed relevant agencies to rigorously implement critical tasks outlined under Decision No. 81 by the Prime Minister. Stringent measures shall be applied to promptly address violations or signs of violations regarding the exploitation of foreign marine resource in the province. The province will provide evidence that the number of violations regarding the exploitation of foreign marine resource has diminished with the help of measures previously implemented by the province.

In conclusion, Mr. Nguyen Cong Vinh, Vice Chairman of the Ba Ria - Vung Tau Provincial People's Committee and Head of the IUU Steering Committee, emphasized that the province is extremely proactive and strict in handling IUU violations. This resolute stance is aligned with the collective determination of provinces and cities across Vietnam to eliminate the IUU yellow card.

Regarding fishing vessels lacking licenses, registrations, or vessel monitoring systems, Mr. Nguyen Cong Vinh has instructed local governments and Sub-Departments of Fisheries to strengthen surveillance efforts, update visual documentation, affix identifying markers to these vessels, and ensure that Border Guard stations within their respective jurisdictions prevent their departure for sea. In the case of vessels that have been at sea for an extended period without communication, local governments will establish contact with vessel owners to expedite the processes of registration, licensing, and addressing any infringements pertaining to the disconnection of vessel monitoring system for durations exceeding ten days.

Ba Ria - Vung Tau Province aims to provide substantive evidence and results derived from the implementation of the European Commission's recommendations for anti-IUU fishing. These materials will be submitted for consideration in the potential removal of the IUU yellow card affecting Vietnam's fisheries sector. Preceding engagements with the European Commission scheduled for October 6 and October 7, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development will collaborate closely with the Ba Ria - Vung Tau Provincial People's Committee to conduct comprehensive inspections of the province's adherence to the EC's anti-IUU recommendations.