Through the results of direct work with the Inspection Team of the European Directorate General for Marine and Fisheries on the EC's recommendations at the third inspection, the EC continued to acknowledge and highly appreciate Vietnam's efforts in combating IUU fishing, some contents have implemented handling solutions and have timely updated and exchanged results.

However, after the third inspection by the EC, the implementation of the EC's recommendations as well as the implementation of tasks and solutions under the direction of the Prime Minister and the Head of the National Steering Committee on combating IUU fishing, to date, there are still many shortcomings and limitations that are slow to be overcome locally, such as: not completing the registration of fishing vessels and granting fishing licenses; updating fishing vessel data into the national fisheries database (VNFishbase) is incomplete. Specifically, the total number of fishing vessels with a length of 6m or more that have been registered and updated on the VNFisbase database is 71,658/86,820, reaching 82.5%. The total number of fishing vessels with valid licenses is only about 70%. The situation of fishing vessels participating in seafood exploitation activities that do not meet the required conditions continues to occur. Accordingly, the installation of voyage monitoring equipment has reached nearly 100%, but the situation of fishing vessels disconnecting occurs commonly in large numbers. The situation of fishing vessels not docking at designated ports as prescribed still occurs regularly; the rate of monitoring aquatic product output through ports is still low. There are still many problems in the implementation of confirmation, certification and traceability of domestically exploited aquatic products. The situation of fishing vessels illegally exploiting seafood in foreign waters continues to occur and is complicated. Specifically, from the beginning of 2023 to now, 39 vessels/252 fishermen have continued to be arrested and handled by foreign countries.

After listening to the opinions of ministries, sectors and localities, concluding the conference, the Deputy Prime Minister, Head of the National Steering Committee on Combating IUU Fishing, emphasized: The EC affirms that it will not lift the "yellow card" warning if the situation of Vietnamese fishing vessels illegally exploiting seafood in foreign waters is not stopped. Therefore, from now until October 2023, ministries, sectors and coastal provinces and cities must synchronously deploy more drastic and responsible solutions and measures to stop Vietnamese fishing vessels from violating foreign waters.

He requested the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to develop a master plan to prepare for receiving and working with the 4th EC Inspection Delegation in October; organize inspection delegations, guide and urge localities to overcome shortcomings and limitations, and ensure strict implementation of regulations on combating IUU fishing. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through diplomatic channels, will convey messages demonstrating Vietnam's political determination in its efforts to combat IUU fishing; coordinate with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to carefully prepare the content of exchanges related to combating IUU fishing in high-level dialogues, ensuring active support from relevant parties for Vietnam's political determination in removing the "yellow card" warning. The Ministry of National Defense will preside over and coordinate with coastal localities, ministries and branches to strengthen inspection and supervision, preventing fishing vessels from illegally exploiting seafood in foreign waters from now until October 2023. The Ministry of Information and Communications increases the duration and quality of information and propaganda at home and abroad about Vietnam's efforts and results in combating IUU fishing. Localities continue to manage fishing ports and fishing vessels and coordinate with central and local agencies in combating IUU fishing.

Ngan Huyen