Prepare a strategy to welcome the EC inspection team on anti-IUU issues

DNHN - On September 22, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) Phung Duc Tien convened a meeting with four affiliated units and the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) to prepare for the arrival of an inspection team from the European Commission (EC) to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

According to Mr Phung Duc Tien, the EC's examination was far more thorough this time. The EC's projected working period is up to ten days, from October 19 to October 29, which is three to four times longer than prior inspections.

The gathering attempted to carry out the spirit of the September 20th meeting of the National Steering Committee on IUU, which was headed by Deputy Prime Minister Le Van Thanh.

In his remarks at the orientation, Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien stated that, of the four EC recommendations for Vietnam on fighting IUU, our nation has done pretty well in terms of developing and finalizing the legislative framework. Other stages, such as ending the problem of fishing vessels illegally fishing in foreign seas, fleet management, and seafood traceability, still have a long way to go.

In the spirit of openness and transparency, the Deputy Minister reaffirmed Vietnam's commitment to sustainable and responsible fisheries growth and international integration: "Which fishing port, fishing vessel, or enterprise is infringing? The management agency must quickly name and clarify the infraction during the forthcoming peak month against IUU. It is impossible to allow a few persons and groups to have an impact on the lives of millions of fisherman."

Domestically, Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien stated that the operations of the 28 coastal provinces and towns in dealing with IUU breaches are unequal. Furthermore, due to sluggish public investment in fishing port infrastructure building, many grade 1 fishing ports are unable to manage the production of fisheries catches, generating bottlenecks in the removal of IUU yellow cards.

Mr Nguyen Quang Hung, Deputy Director of the General Department of Fisheries, noted that the EC delegation's first stop on this trip might be in a city near the international border, most likely Ho Chi Minh City. Following that, the EC will continue the inspection and assessment in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

In collaboration with the Department of Animal Health, the Department of Quality Management of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries, and VASEP, the entire seafood industry promises to strictly control the source of seafood products from the time they arrive at the port until they enter the factory and are exported to markets.

"In the following peak month, we will thoroughly monitor the IUU records of every ship docking," Mr Hung promised.

Ha Anh