Recently, 28 provinces and cities across the country have focused on the goal of removing the IUU yellow card in the fisheries sector and strict punishment is considered the key.

As a coastal country, the marine economy, in which the seafood exploitation and processing industry plays a very important role. According to statistics, the seafood export turnover this year can reach 10 billion USD. Accordingly, Vietnam is modernizing the seafood exploitation industry, strictly implementing international regulations on seafood exploitation, aiming for a green seafood industry, sustainable development and international integration. From that goal, from the central to local levels, we have joined forces to implement specific recommendations of the EC on IUU and strive for the EC to soon remove the yellow card for the Vietnamese seafood industry.

In recent years, the entire political system of our country has joined forces to soon remove the EC's yellow card on seafood. In parallel with the dissemination and popularization of regulations on fisheries law, local authorities have implemented synchronous solutions to limit fishing vessels from violating regulations on combating illegal and unreported fishing according to IUU regulations. Accordingly, strictly punishing fishing vessels that violate the law is considered a strong and effective solution. First of all, perfecting the legal framework is a solid foundation for combating illegal fishing (IUU).

After more than 7 years since the implementation of the task of removing the yellow card warning of the European Commission (EC), Vietnam has always consistently prioritized the issue of overcoming the weaknesses of the marine industry, seriously implementing the EC's recommendations on IUU fishing, notably building a legal framework to bring the marine industry into line with international practices. The 2017 Fisheries Law, which took effect in 2019, is considered the highest legal framework for Vietnam's fight against IUU fishing. Along with that, Vietnam has issued many Directives, Decrees, Resolutions, Circulars and continuously adjusted them to control fisheries and improve the effectiveness of combating illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing. Decree No. 38/2024 replaces Decree No. 42/2019 of the Government on administrative sanctions for violations in the fisheries sector. Resolution No. 04/2024 of the Council of Judges of the Supreme People's Court provides guidance on criminal prosecution for acts related to illegal exploitation, trading and transportation of aquatic products. Directive No. 32 of the Secretariat on strengthening the Party's leadership in combating illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and sustainable development of the fisheries sector, along with many regulations on combating IUU fishing.

The legal system in the field of fisheries exploitation has been completed and basically meets the requirements of international integration, ensuring sustainable and responsible management and development of fisheries as recommended by the EC.

Along with propaganda, mobilization, and specific guidance to each fisherman and each ship owner, and imposing severe penalties, it is considered an effective measure to prevent and combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing with the European Commission and international organizations. Once known as a hot spot for IUU violations, Quang Ngai fishermen are now making great efforts to join hands to remove the EC's yellow card on fisheries.

Currently, the entire political system of 28 coastal localities across the country has resolutely implemented measures to overcome violations in IUU fishing. In addition, the Government directs close supervision and steadfastly pursues a common goal in the journey to combat IUU fishing. The Government's specialized agencies have cooperated closely with international organizations to share experiences, with the main goal of overcoming all EC recommendations, moving towards removing the yellow card for Vietnamese fisheries, creating conditions for restructuring the fisheries sector towards modernity and sustainability.

With its unique position, in our country, the marine economy has been and will be a key economic sector, in which fisheries exploitation is an industry that brings high economic efficiency. Not only bringing in export value of tens of billions of US dollars each year, fisheries exploitation is a long-standing traditional profession of the Vietnamese people. Because a Vietnamese meal cannot be without rice and fish. Therefore, the sea is a living space, the facade of the country, Responsible fisheries exploitation, protecting aquatic resources, in which compliance with Vietnamese law and international practices is considered an inevitable trend for us to move towards a modern and sustainable fisheries exploitation industry.

Source: VTV