Illustrative image (Photo: VNA)In an official dispatch issued on November 4, the PM said this work will demonstrate Vietnam'sinternational responsibility towards international commitments and agreements insustainably protecting the marine environment and marine ecosystems, and promotingsustainable marine economic development in association with ensuring securityand sovereignty over the sea and islands of the nation.
Under the dispatch, all fishing boats with a length of 15 metres and more must unload seafood products at fishing ports (including privatefishing ports and wharves). These activities should be monitored and traceableto ensure the origin of the products.
It is essential to strictly adhere to regulationson confirmation and certification of domestically harvested seafood products,and strictly prohibit and handle cases of legalising documents (if supported bygrounds for criminal prosecution), the document said.
The PM also demanded to review of enterprisesexporting seafood to the European market, prompt development, and use of an e-traceabilitysystem in order to monitor and control transparency and legality in accordancewith regulations on origin confirmation and certification of aquatic products exploiteddomestically.
The “yellow card” has led to a significant decrease in seafood exports fromVietnam to the EU, and rigorous origin traceability checks for all productsentering the European market.
Other import markets, including the US, have also implemented stricter controlregulations for seafood products from countries that have received "yellowcards" from the EU.
Transparency in seafood origin traceability isessential not only to meet the requirements of export markets but also fordomestic consumers. It helps enterprises to effectively manage issues relatedto food safety, disease control, and environmental safety throughout theirproduction chains, thus fostering absolute trust with customers and the reputationof seafood businesses and producers.
As the EU ranks amongthe top five largest importers of Vietnamese seafood, the imposition of theyellow card has resulted in a continuous decline in Vietnam’s seafood exportsto this market since 2017, according to the report titled “A Trade-BasedAnalysis of the Economic Impact of Non-Compliance with Illegal, Unreported and UnregulatedFishing - The Case of Vietnam” jointly published by the Vietnam Association ofSeafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) and the World Bank (WB).
Compared to the 2017figures, seafood exports to the EU decreased by 12% in 2019, equivalent to 183.5million USD. This downward trend continued in 2020, dropping by 5.7% from theprevious year. In 2022, the revenue reached only 1.3 billion USD, but the EUstill remained one of Vietnam’s top five major buyers.
Right after receivingthe "yellow card" in 2017, Vietnam proactively responded to the EC's recommendations.The country promptly enacted the Fisheries Law and established fishing vesseldata covering registration and the issuance of fishing licenses from central tolocal levels.
Relevant ministries, agencies, and coastalprovinces and cities of Vietnam have implemented IUU fishing prevention tasksand solutions in line with directives of the permanent member of the PartyCentral Committee’s Secretariat, the Prime Minister, and the National SteeringCommittee on IUU Fishing Prevention and Control.
However, Vietnam’s efforts have yet to meet theexpectations of the EC, requiring more efforts of the country in this work./.
VNA
