Traders purchase fish at Thuan An fishing port in Thue Thien-Hue province (Photo: VNA)Hanoi (VNA) – The Ministry of Agriculture andRural Development has approved a plan on implementing some urgent solutions inresponse to the European Union (EU)’s warning about illegal, unreportedand unregulated (IUU) fishing.
Many solutions have been devised according tothe EU’s recommendations. They include aligning the legal framework withregional and international regulations, effectively implementing the amendedlegal regulations on IUU fishing, and effectively implementing internationalregulations and management measures through strict punishment.
In addition, Vietnam will address shortcomingsin the monitoring system to serve the certification of aquatic products’origin, improve the fishing boat management system, enhance cooperation withregional countries, and comply with regulations on fisheries data collectionand report.
Vietnamwas served with a yellow card warning by the EU in September for failing toprogress in fighting IUU fishing and it has been offered the opportunity to take measures to rectify thesituation within six months.
To this end, the EC has proposed an action plan for the country. The"yellow card" is followed by a "green card" if issues areresolved or a "red card" if they aren’t. A “red card” can lead to atrade ban on fishery products.
[Vietnam won’t tolerate IUU fishing: MARD]
The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development plans to organise anational conference with 28 coastal cities and provinces to discuss the IUUissue and provide them with technical guidance to ensure their compliance withIUU fishing regulations.
Vietnam has favourable geographical conditions to develop its seafood industrywith its long coastline of over 3,260 km and more than 3,000 islands andislets.
Fisheriesis a key sector whose output has been consistently rising in recent years.
Thecountry hopes to become a leading seafood exporter by 2020.
Last year, Vietnam earned 1.219 billion USD from exportingaquatic products to the EU, 357.8 million USD of which was from seafoodshipments. The figure hit 1.047 billion USD in the first nine months thisyear.-VNA
VNA
