Stop illegal fishing to remove “yellow card” for fishery products

Fishery sector aims for “yellow card” removal with US$10 billion export target in sight

Mr. Nguyen Quang Hung.

Since Vietnam has been applied with the EC’s “yellow card” warning for Vietnamese fishery products exported to the EU (sinceOctober 2017), the EC has conducted two inspections and evaluations for the implementation of the EC recommendations on fighting illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. How does the EC evaluate Vietnam’s efforts?

Through two inspections, especially in the online meeting with the EC on June 30, the EC continued to appreciate Vietnam’s commitment, political determination and efforts in fighting IUU fishing.

In addition, the EC also highly appreciates Vietnam’s transparency and honesty in providing information. Notably, the completion of a legal framework in a short time to strengthen supervision and handling of violations is highly appreciated by the EC. The traceability has been also improved; the level of errors in the shipments exported to the EC has decreased significantly.

However, the EC suggested that Vietnam should continue to promote the installation ofcruise monitoring equipment for the remaining 20% of fishing vessels, control more effectively the volume of fishery products on docks, fully record fishing diaries, ensuretransparent and accurate export records; impose harsh punishments onvessels illegally fishing in waters outside Vietnam’s territoryaccording to the law.

If Vietnamese fishing vessels have not yet ended illegal fishing in waters outside Vietnam’s territory, the EC will not remove the “yellow card” warning for Vietnam. This is a problem that requires competent agencies and localities to implement more drastic solutions.

How will Vietnam’s fishery exports to the EU be affected if the “yellow card” is not removed in the near future?

The fishery export turnover to the EU is between US$400 and 500 million per year. Over the time, export turnover has decreased by US$10-15/year.

Although the figure is not high, if the “yellow card” is not removed soon, it will greatly affect exports and the reputation of the fishery industry. For example, Cambodia has beenissued a “red card”, all fishery products arebanned from export to the EU.

If the “yellow card” is not removed, the fishery exports to the EU will be increasingly difficult. Photo: Internet.

In addition, other markets are likely to apply other regulations in IUU fishing similar to the EC. For example, the US plans to have a hearing session with Vietnam for fishery exports to the US onwhether or not to take measures fighting illegal fishing.

Besides achieved results, what are typical limitations and shortcomings in implementing the EC recommendations that make Vietnam not able to remove the “yellow card”?

Currently, the biggest problem is that there are fishing vessels illegally fishing in foreign waters. In the first half of 2020, although the number of violations has decreased by 50% compared to the same period in 2019, there are still 54 violations with 86 infringing fishing vessels that were seizedand handled by foreign countries. Of which, 34 violations with 58fishing vessels are in KienGiang, five violations with eightfishing vessels in Ca Mau, six violations with sevenfishing vessels in Ben Tre, four violations with sixfishing vessels in Ba Ria-Vung Tau.

In addition, 80% of fishing vessels have installedthe cruise monitoring equipment, while 20% of the remaining fishing vessels are expected to be installed in the near future. This biggest shortcoming in cruise monitoring is that the fishermen do not maintain the monitoring equipment24/7, some fishing vessels are disconnected when going to sea, leading to difficulties in monitoring.

Although most of the fishermen have recorded fishing diaries to ensure traceability, there are still errors. The punishment for violations is still difficult.

What solutionswill be prioritized by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to remove the EC’s “yellow card”?

Implementing the EC’s recommendations, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development will continue to strengthen inspections for fighting IUU fishing in localities and direct to review and remove shortcomings and limitations.

Strengthen monitoring and supervision for localities in implementing the Fisheries Law and documents guiding the implementation of the Law on fishing licenses, installation of cruise monitoring equipment, and fishing vessel's mark in accordance with regulations.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development also requested localities to take measures to combat IUU fishing in accordance with the provisions of the law and the Ministry's guidance such as control of fishery products loading and unloading through ports, control of fishing vessels in and out ofports.

Impose harsh punishments on violations in IUU fishing, especially monitoring, investigating and promptly handling fishing vessels violating foreign waters; prevent and stop local fishing vessels from violating foreign waters.