EC initially acknowledges Vietnam’s efforts in combating IUU fishing

Fernando Andresen Guimaraes, director of International Ocean Governance and Sustainable Fisheries at the EC’s Directorate General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, who led the inspection delegation, announced the recognition during a courtesy reception hosted by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh in Hanoi on Thursday.

He thanked PM Chinh, Deputy PM Tran Hong Ha, head of the national steering committee on IUU, and officials from relevant ministries for hosting the delegation.

Guimaraes said the team had conducted field visits to Ho Chi Minh City, Khanh Hoa, and Dak Lak to carry out comprehensive checks on Vietnam’s implementation of EC recommendations on IUU fishing.

The delegation praised Vietnam’s strong commitment, decisive leadership, and notable progress in recent years, mentioning the government’s active oversight and determination in addressing IUU fishing.

It particularly noted that Vietnam’s vessel monitoring system has achieved a 99-percent installation rate and that traceability of seafood products has improved significantly to meet EU’s legal requirements, according to the Voice of Vietnam.

Guimaraes affirmed that Vietnam is on the right track and said the EC will continue providing technical support to promote sustainable fisheries management.

PM Chinh welcomed the delegation and underscored Vietnam’s intention to enhance cooperation with partners, including the EU, on sustainable marine development, marine research, environmental protection, responsible fisheries, and the fight against IUU fishing.

He thanked the EC for its ongoing support and stressed that Vietnam is strengthening legal frameworks, ensuring seafood traceability, monitoring vessel operations, and strictly handling violations.

Chinh requested the EC to recognize Vietnam’s achievements and continue supporting the country in transforming its fisheries sector toward a modern and sustainable model, safeguarding both fishermen’s livelihoods and a stable seafood supply to the EU.

He spotlighted positive developments in Vietnam–EU relations, noting that the EU–Vietnam Free Trade Agreement has made the EU Vietnam’s fourth-largest trading partner while the country has become the bloc’s largest trading partner in ASEAN.

Chinh described the EU as a driving force behind sustainable development, green growth, circular economy, free trade, and economic balance, which are aligned with Vietnam’s development priorities.

Earlier, Deputy PM Ha had held discussions with the EC delegation on the results of their field visits and meetings with agencies in Ho Chi Minh City, Khanh Hoa, Dak Lak, and Hanoi.

He expressed the desire to boost cooperation with EU partners in sustainable aquaculture, enabling Vietnam to gradually shift from exploitation to farming while developing marine services and tourism in an environmentally friendly manner.

The fifth EC inspection came more than eight years after the commission issued a ‘yellow card’ warning to the Vietnamese seafood sector in October 2017 over IUU fishing.

The review focused on five main areas: legal frameworks; fleet management; monitoring, control, and surveillance of fishing vessels; traceability of seafood products; and law enforcement and violation handling, according to the Vietnamese Ministry of Agriculture and Environment.

These checks were meant to assess the results of Vietnam’s implementation of the EC’s recommendations from the fourth inspection in October 2023 and determine whether the ‘yellow card’ could be lifted.

Despite four previous inspections, the warning has remained in place, with the EC citing enforcement gaps in combating IUU fishing in certain localities.