Vietnam continues strict actions to combat IUU fishing

Vietnam is strictly complying with the European Commission (EC) regulations on preventing illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, said the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development at a meeting of the Steering Committee on IUU Fishing Prevention on Tuesday in Hanoi.

The ministry will continue to advise the government on how to conduct field visits to enforce measures against IUU fishing in coastal areas in June, before the EC’s inspection in Vietnam, which has been rescheduled to take place around September or October, said Nguyen Quang Hung, Director of the ministry’s Fisheries Resources Surveillance Department.

The ministry will also conduct monthly on-site inspections in provinces and cities along the coast, while promoting the role of local authorities and border guards to monitor fishing vessels and inspect them at fishing ports, Mr. Hung said.

“We must ensure the verification of the origin of fish products and strengthen vessel management to ensure our eligibility for fishing at sea. Exports to the EU and other markets must all meet international legal requirements.”