Australia Shares Experience in Combating IUU Fishing with Vietnam: Expert Insights
Australia enforces strict measures against illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, including confiscation of catches and involved vessels, according to an Australian expert.
In an interview with the Vietnam News Agency in Australia, Prof. Stuart Kaye, Director of the Australian National Centre for Ocean Resources & Security at the University of Wollongong, discussed Australia’s efforts in fighting IUU fishing. He emphasized that Australia prioritizes this issue and collaborates actively with countries in the Indo-Pacific region to support their initiatives against IUU fishing.
Prof. Kaye highlighted that Australia does not have specific regulations for detaining individuals involved in illegal fishing within its territorial waters. However, such individuals may be detained by immigration authorities pending the outcome of legal proceedings.
Australia allocates substantial resources to monitor its waters and enforce actions against vessels suspected of IUU fishing. Prof. Kaye noted that the country prioritizes sustainability in managing its fish stocks and works closely with other nations to combat IUU fishing.
Associate Prof. Camille Goodman, also from the Australian National Centre for Ocean Resources & Security, added that Australia and Vietnam have collaborated through various frameworks, such as the Regional Plan of Action to Promote Responsible Fishing including IUU Fishing, the Vietnam-Australia MoU to Combat Illegal Fishing, and Australia’s regional program to combat IUU fishing and promote sustainable fisheries in Southeast Asia. These initiatives provide Vietnam with opportunities for capacity-building support for monitoring, control, and surveillance officers.
