Vietnam strengthens efforts to remove EC’s IUU ‘Yellow Card’

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Phung Duc Tien, recently held a meeting with relevant agencies to implement the government’s plan for addressing the European Commission’s (EC) fifth inspection on combating Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing.

The EC inspection team is set to visit Vietnam in November to assess the country’s compliance with IUU fishing regulations. This marks the fifth inspection in seven years since the EC issued its “yellow card” warning to Vietnam.

Over the past year, more than 4,000 fishing vessels involved in illegal activities have been penalized, with total fines exceeding 100 billion VND. According to Nguyen Quang Hung, Director of the Fisheries Surveillance Department, the penalties reflect local authorities’ intensified efforts to enforce anti-IUU measures. Under Directive 32 from the Party Secretariat and recent government directives, authorities have ramped up patrols, inspections, and interagency coordination to reduce violations.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) reported significant progress in addressing the EC’s recommendations from the fourth inspection. Updates include new regulations to enhance compliance, such as Government Decree 37/2024/ND-CP and Decree 38/2024/ND-CP, which revise penalties for administrative violations in fisheries. Additionally, MARD issued Circular 06/2024/TT-BNNPTNT to eliminate “three-no” fishing vessels.

On June 12, 2024, the Supreme People’s Court issued Resolution 04/2024/NQ-HDTP to provide guidance on criminal charges for illegal fishing in foreign waters. The government has also approved strategies and plans to combat IUU fishing, aiming for sustainable fisheries development and the removal of the EC’s “yellow card” by 2024.

Nguyen Quang Hung emphasized the need for localities to swiftly address violations and provide clear results to facilitate discussions with the EC inspection team. Authorities are focusing on stricter monitoring at ports and penalizing violations, especially non-compliance with vessel monitoring systems (VMS) requirements.

At a recent meeting, Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien noted that the EC has conducted four inspections since issuing the “yellow card,” with nine key recommendations for improvement. The upcoming inspection will determine whether the “yellow card” can be removed, which is critical for boosting Vietnam’s seafood exports and promoting sustainable fisheries.

In a November 4 directive, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh instructed coastal provinces to prioritize resolving IUU issues. Local leaders and seafood businesses are tasked with enforcing compliance, including prohibiting the purchase, processing, or export of illegally sourced seafood.

During the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro on November 18, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh urged the EC to expedite the resolution of outstanding issues, including the removal of the IUU “yellow card.” He also called on the EU to accelerate the ratification of the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) by nine remaining member states and enhance support for Vietnam in adapting to new EU sustainability regulations.