A border guard checks fishing work in Quảng Ngãi central province. — VNA/VNS Photo Đinh Hương

HÀ NỘI — The Prime Minister has asked concerned organisations to implement urgent tasks and solutions to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

It is to prepare for the work with the fourth European Commission (EC) inspection team, which was scheduled to visit Việt Nam between October 10-18, according to official dispatch No 916/CĐ-TTg signed on Wednesday by Deputy PM Trần Lưu Quang.

The official dispatch stated that after nearly six years of implementing solutions and after three inspections by the EC, combating IUU fishing in Việt Nam had recorded many positive changes.

However, after the EC’s third inspection in October last year, some localities have not conducted the recommendations and instructions of the Prime Minister as well as the head of the National Steering Committee on managing IUU fishing.

Law enforcement and penalties for IUU fishing are not strict enough.

Registration and issuance of fishing licences has not been completed.

Handling the shortcomings found by the EC was slow. The shortcomings are related to some imported fishing vessels, seafood export enterprises and fishing ports.

If the country does not promptly resolve the current situation of IUU fishing violations, not only will it not be able to remove the "yellow card" warning, but the risk of being given a "red card" warning is very high, the official dispatch stressed.

In an effort to lift the IUU yellow card, the Government asked concerned departments, ministries and localities ensure human resources and funding to urgently overcome shortcomings and limitations to ready for working with the fourth EC inspection team.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) must inspect, guide and support localities to carry out the tasks of controlling IUU fishing.

During the EC inspection team's work in Việt Nam, it must explain and demonstrate to the team that so they understand Việt Nam’s determination and efforts in the work.

The Ministry of National Defence is responsible for strengthening forces, coordinating with local authorities to manage people at high risk of violations, thoroughly handle those involved in IUU fishing.

The Ministry of Finance’s duty is coordinating with the MARD and the Ministry of Transport in controlling imported aquatic raw materials by containers.

Chairmen of people's committees of coastal provinces and cities should focus on fishing vessel management, registration, inspection and issuance of fishing licenses.

They must know exactly the entire number of local fishing vessels, update their daily status to know which are not eligible to participate in fishing activities.

Fishing vessels must ensure full conditions according to regulations, especially, the VMS devices on fishing vessels which are 15 meters or more in length must be turned on and operate normally from the time they leave the port until they arrive at the port.

They are also responsible for compiling the list of organisations working with shipowners to guide them procedures for registration, inspection, licensing and fully update all of the information on the national fisheries database (VNFishbase).

Countries that fail to meet EC standards are given a “yellow card”, followed by a “green card” if the problems are resolved, or a “red card” if they are not. A red card can lead to a trade ban on aquatic products. — VNS