Vietnam Makes Suitable Efforts to Prevent IUU Fishing: WTO Expert

Vietnam has made considerable efforts to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing while working towards having the European Commission (EC)’s “yellow card” removed, according to a counsel at the Advisory Centre on WTO Law. This statement was made to the Vietnam News Agency.

Christian Vidal-León, who previously served as a dispute settlement lawyer in both the Legal Affairs and the Appellate Body Secretariat of the WTO, noted that over the past six years, the Vietnamese government has issued numerous documents related to IUU fishing. These efforts include aligning the European Union’s recommendations with Vietnam’s Law on Fisheries and issuing an action plan to combat IUU fishing in 2023.

Vidal-León emphasized that fishing in the Southeast Asian region is inherently challenging. He highlighted the importance of combating IUU fishing for the sustainable development of Vietnam’s fisheries sector.

He also mentioned that the EU has pledged to support Thailand in implementing new IUU fishing laws. This follows the EC’s removal of Thailand from the group of “warned countries” in 2019, recognizing Thailand’s effective adjustments and legal supplements in line with the commission’s standards.