Seafood processed for exports. Vietnam has enjoyed robust signs in seafood shipments to the EU market in January. (Photo: VNA)HCM City (VNA) – Vietnam has enjoyed robust signs in seafoodshipments to the EU market in January after a tough time caused by the “yellowcard” issued by the European Commission over the problem of illegal,unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
Tuna shipments experienced a remarkable recovery as export revenue surged 21percent year-on-year to nearly 41 million USD in January, following an 18percent drop in December 2017.
The export ofcuttlefish and octopus to the EU recovered from a 3.6 percent decrease inQuarter 4 of 2017, picking up 5 percent on a yearly basis.
Meanwhile, theindustry pocketed 106 million USD from fish exports and over 8 million USD fromcrab and other crustaceans, up 24 percent and 7 percent, respectively.
However, seafoodexports are forecast to face formidable challenges when the EU is intensifyingthe examination of the catch certificate of Vietnamese seafood.
Currently, the Vietnamese authorities are striving to regain “green card” forthe seafood sector.
Vietnam was served with a yellow card warning by the EU in September and it hasbeen offered the opportunity to take measures to rectify the situation withinsix months.
To this end, the EChas proposed an action plan for the country. The "yellow card" isfollowed by a "green card" if issues are resolved or a "redcard" if they aren’t. A “red card” can lead to a trade ban on fisheryproducts.
TheMinistry of Agriculture and Rural Development is implementing urgent solutionsin response to the EU’s warning on IUU fishing with the focus on drafting adecree guiding the enforcement of the 2017 Law on Fisheries and submitting anew document replacing existing regulations on administrative fines in fishingactivities.
Seafood businesses have committed to fighting against IUU fishing to protectVietnamese seafood’s prestige and bolster sustainable seafood development inthe country.-VNA
VNA
