HCMC – Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has issued a stern warning to local leaders, stating they will be held accountable if they fail to address illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
“If violations continue, provincial and municipal Party secretaries, as well as chairpersons, will be held responsible before the Secretariat of the Party Central Committee, the Government, and the PM,” Chinh said at a conference on the IUU fishing fight held on August 28.
The conference reviewed the progress made since the European Commission’s (EC) fourth inspection in October 2023.
Reports indicated that Vietnam has improved its legal framework and enhanced the monitoring and management of fishing vessels, in line with the EC’s recommendations. Stronger law enforcement has led to 11 legal cases being initiated, with three additional cases currently under investigation.
Despite these efforts, significant challenges remain. Issues such as delays in vessel management, law enforcement, and the integration of vessel monitoring systems (VMS) continue to hinder progress.
The PM directed local authorities to thoroughly review violations that have occurred since the last inspection, particularly focusing on tampering with VMS and illegal fishing in foreign waters.
He emphasized that local leaders would be held accountable if these issues are not adequately addressed.
Vietnam aims to get the EC’s “yellow card” warning lifted on its seafood exports during the EC’s fifth inspection, scheduled for October 2024.
