Focus on resolving issues of EC concern before September 15

The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment has just submitted a document to the Prime Minister to issue a "Peak and urgent action plan to implement the "yellow card" warning recommendations and prepare to work with the 5th Inspection Delegation of the European Commission".

Accordingly, in order to continue promoting the plan to remove the "yellow card" warning at the 5th inspection by the European Commission, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment has reviewed, synthesized, and evaluated the existing problems, limitations, and causes to propose tasks, solutions, and results to be achieved to urgently overcome the existing problems and limitations in combating IUU fishing; focusing on thoroughly resolving the issues of concern to the EC from now until September 15, 2025 (the time to send the progress report to the EC) and preparing to work with the 5th Inspection Delegation of the EC to ensure the best results, determined to remove the "yellow card" warning at this inspection, including: fleet management; control of fishing vessel activities; traceability of exploited aquatic products; law enforcement, and handling of violations.

The tasks and implementation solutions are related to legal regulations, functions and tasks of many ministries, branches and localities such as the Ministry of Public Security, Ministry of National Defense, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Construction, Ministry of Finance and coastal local authorities such as: People's Council, Provincial People's Committee...

Authorities regularly visit fishing vessels to disseminate information about compliance with legal regulations in seafood exploitation. Photo: Doan Huu Trung/VNA

The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment proposed that the Prime Minister consider and issue a "High-level, urgent action plan to implement the "yellow card" warning recommendations and prepare to work with the 5th Inspection Delegation of the European Commission", to clearly assign responsibilities to each agency and unit in the implementation organization, linked to the completion time and specific results achieved to thoroughly resolve the 6 contents of EC concern and prepare to work with the 5th Inspection Delegation in a synchronous, effective and efficient manner.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment proposes urgent and key tasks and solutions until August 2025.

Regarding fleet management, complete the review and identification of fishing vessels on the national population database (VneID) to synchronize with the national fisheries database (VNFishbase) and the fishing vessel monitoring system (VMS). Complete the registration, inspection, issuance or renewal of licenses; verify the information data of each fishing vessel, fully and accurately update the fishing vessel information data into the national fisheries database (VNFishbase) and the fishing vessel monitoring system with the national population database VNeID.

100% of registered fishing vessels must have license plates and fishing vessel markings according to regulations. Aquaculture vessels and other service vessels must be registered according to regulations so that there are no fishing vessels without license plates or markings operating in localities.

Fishing vessels that are not qualified for fishing activities are listed, classified on a case-by-case basis, and assigned centralized anchoring locations; the list is posted in the community and fishing vessels are sealed, fishing gear and equipment are not left on the fishing vessels; local authorities are assigned to monitor the anchoring locations of 100% of fishing vessels that are not qualified for fishing activities.

Strictly implement regulations on deregistration and re-registration of fishing vessels; review and strictly handle cases of buying, selling, and transferring without changing ownership or re-registering fishing vessels; and prohibit fishing activities.

Strictly handle notary offices that notarize contracts for sale, transfer, and ownership change of fishing vessels not in accordance with the provisions of the 2017 Fisheries Law and documents detailing the implementation of the Fisheries Law (approval for the sale and purchase of fishing vessels, notice of transfer of fishing license quotas, etc.).

Regarding the control of fishing vessel activities, for the control of fishing vessels entering and leaving ports, and entering and leaving ports, upgrade fishing ports that have been invested in to be announced open and put into operation according to regulations; pilot the control of fishing vessels leaving and arriving at ports and monitor the output of exploited aquatic products loaded and unloaded through ports at private fishing ports that have not been announced open on the Electronic Traceability Software System for Exploited Aquatic Products (eCDT).

Ensure that fishing vessels departing from ports through border posts and stations to participate in fishing activities must have a confirmation of departure from the fishing port; vessels entering ports through border posts and stations must be notified to the fishing port, commune police, and local authorities for control and handling if they do not dock to unload exploited aquatic products according to regulations.

Regarding the control of fishing vessels operating at sea, ensure that the fishing vessel monitoring system (VMS) operates smoothly and effectively according to regulations. VMS equipment and service providers coordinate to inspect and guide fishermen in installing and connecting VMS equipment to ensure stable operation on fishing vessels and inspect, maintain and replace equipment that does not meet technical requirements.

Apply the automatic fishing vessel location reporting system when the VMS system at sea is lost at the central and local levels. Exploit, operate and effectively use the 24/7 VMS system to monitor, supervise, detect, warn and notify fishing vessels that lose connection or exceed the permitted fishing area at sea as a basis for handling according to regulations.

Make a list of high-risk violators and apply technical and professional measures to scout, monitor, supervise, promptly detect and prevent fishing vessels and fishermen intending to violate foreign waters...

Regarding the traceability of exploited aquatic products, for domestically exploited aquatic products, ensure that all fishing vessels with a length of 15 m or more participating in fishing activities leave and dock on eCDT at fishing ports and use the electronic fishing log system according to the instructions of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment.

For imported aquatic products, implement the Port State Measures Agreement (PSMA); inspect and control aquatic products imported by container ships.

Regarding law enforcement, handling of violations, consolidating records, thoroughly handling cases of illegal fishing in foreign waters; cases of VMS disconnection for more than 6 hours without reporting location to shore, not bringing fishing vessels to shore for more than 10 days, and exceeding the permitted fishing boundary at sea from 2024 to present have been discovered and continue to thoroughly handle arising violations.

At the same time, prosecute and try cases that have been prosecuted in Kien Giang, Ca Mau, Ba Ria - Vung Tau, Binh Dinh provinces and continue to prosecute, prosecute and try acts related to sending fishing vessels and fishermen to illegally exploit seafood in foreign waters, sending and transporting VMS equipment... according to Resolution No. 04/2024/NQ-HDTP of the Council of Judges of the Supreme People's Court.

Previously, on March 24, 2025, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment received Telegram No. 48/HTZN dated March 13, 2025 from the Ambassador - Head of the Vietnamese Delegation to the EU. On March 20, 2025, the Department of Fisheries and Fisheries Surveillance received an email from the Directorate General for Marine and Seafood Affairs of the European Commission (DG-MARE).

Accordingly, DG-MARE suggested that Vietnam should focus on overcoming some current shortcomings (controlling fishing vessel activities at sea and in ports; sanctioning violations of regulations on disconnecting the fishing vessel monitoring system (VMS), exceeding permitted fishing boundaries at sea; especially preventing and handling Vietnamese fishing vessels and fishermen who violate illegal fishing in foreign waters) so that the dialogue on combating IUU fishing between Vietnam and the European Commission (EC) can progress in the coming time.

DG-MARE requested that Vietnam submit a progress report before September 15, 2025, and DG-MARE will conduct the fifth inspection by the end of 2025 if the report shows progress in resolving the above-mentioned shortcomings.

(According to Bich Hong (Vietnam News Agency)

*Link: https://baotintuc.vn/lanh-te/tap-trung-giai-quyet-dut-diem-cac-noi-dung-ec-quan-tam-truoc-ngay-159-20250429141643760.htm