Perfecting the management and operation of the VMS system smoothly and effectively from central to local levels.

The conclusion announcement stated: In recent times, the continued completion, management and operation of the VMS system has had many positive changes; recognizing and praising the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the unit providing information technology infrastructure services for the VMS system and related agencies.

In order to achieve the goal of removing the EC's "Yellow Card" warning in 2024, one of the key tasks from now until the end of 2024 is to continue to perfect, manage, and operate the VMS system smoothly and effectively from the central to local levels. Therefore, it is necessary to focus on and optimize the work.

Specifically, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development will preside over and coordinate with the Ministry of Information and Communications, the Ministry of National Defense, and relevant ministries and branches to focus on resolving technical problems to complete the VMS system, ensuring the system detects, connects data, shares information, and updates the results of handling fishing vessels violating the law 24/7; to be completed before August 20, 2024.

Illustration photo.

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development decides to establish an Inter-sectoral Working Group with members from relevant ministries and sectors to advise and handle technical issues and provide guidance on law enforcement regarding the VMS system at the central and local levels. Report to the Head of the National Steering Committee on combating IUU fishing on issues beyond his/her authority.

The Deputy Prime Minister requested the Ministry of Information and Communications to preside over and coordinate with relevant ministries and branches to organize inspections of satellite equipment and service providers, ensuring the maintenance of the quality of satellite equipment and services of the VMS system.

Direct service providers/organizations to maintain VMS system connection for all devices during peak times (from now until the 5th EC Inspection Team finishes its inspection in Vietnam).

The Ministry of Public Security directs the police of all forces and local police to strictly handle organizations and individuals who violate the law according to Resolution No. 04/NQ-HDTP dated June 12, 2024 of the Council of Judges of the Supreme People's Court guiding the application of a number of provisions of the Penal Code on criminal prosecution for acts related to illegal exploitation, trading and transportation of aquatic products.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall provide information on determining Vietnam's maritime boundaries with countries in the region as prescribed to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to determine and guide fishing vessels and fishermen to legally exploit seafood in sea areas in accordance with Vietnamese and international laws; to be completed before August 15, 2024.

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang assigned the Ministry of National Defense to direct functional forces to strengthen inspection and control of the connection of fishing vessels to the VMS system through border posts and stations in sea areas; and strictly handle fishing vessels that violate the regulations.

People's Committees of coastal provinces and centrally run cities: Review and supplement technical equipment and information technology infrastructure to serve the operation of the VMS system at local fisheries management agencies and fishing ports; to be completed before August 31, 2024.

The Chairman of the People's Committee of coastal provinces and centrally-run cities decides to establish an interdisciplinary working group to operate the VMS system to monitor, detect, receive and verify information, process and update the results of handling fishing vessels violating VMS laws in the locality.

Assign the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to guide, inspect, urge, monitor, synthesize and report the implementation results to Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang - Head of the National Steering Committee on IUU.