The meeting was connected online with 21 coastal provinces and cities, as part of the Committee’s regular Tuesday sessions aimed at intensifying efforts to combat IUU violations.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh directed the Ministry of Public Security, in coordination with the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment and coastal localities, to implement the VNeID digital identity system in managing fishermen and fishing vessels.

The session reviewed in detail the progress and shortcomings of each ministry, sector and locality in carrying out assigned tasks, focusing on key areas such as vessel management, monitoring and surveillance, traceability, law enforcement, and handling of IUU-related violations.

In his concluding remarks, the Prime Minister acknowledged the efforts made by relevant agencies and localities in maintaining regular reporting and implementing measures against IUU fishing. However, he emphasized that the progress remains limited and lacks breakthroughs. The PM urged stronger accountability among leaders and strict enforcement of weekly reporting, which will serve as the basis for evaluating and ranking collectives and individuals under Regulation 366-QD/TW of the Politburo.

According to reports, 286 new fishing vessels have been licensed, with over 99% equipped with vessel monitoring systems (VMS). Fifty-eight fishing ports have been officially designated, and authorities have prosecuted 21 cases involving 22 defendants related to IUU violations, with one case already tried involving two defendants.

However, 5,712 vessels have yet to receive operational licenses and 292 remain unregistered, mostly in Vinh Long, Quang Ngai, An Giang and Ho Chi Minh City. The PM instructed relevant agencies to complete licensing for eligible vessels within the next week, suspend those failing to meet conditions, ensure 100% installation of VMS, address all disconnections, and finalize data on traceability and the national fisheries database.

The PM instructed the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment to urgently issue temporary criteria for identifying ports eligible to certify the origin of caught seafood; to coordinate with other ministries and sectors in preparing technical arrangements for the fifth inspection mission of the European Commission (EC); and to lead, in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), and media agencies, a communication campaign themed “Substantive Action - Removing the IUU Yellow Card.”

The Ministry of National Defense was tasked with completing the vessel control system and sea coordination regulations within October. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs was directed to continue coordinating with relevant agencies in preparing technical dialogues with the EC and to actively work with Malaysian authorities regarding two detained Vietnamese fishing vessels, ensuring information is clarified promptly.

The Ministry of Public Security was instructed to focus on investigating, prosecuting and strictly handling IUU-related criminal cases, especially those involving organized groups facilitating vessels crossing maritime boundaries, while coordinating with the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment and localities to deploy the VNeID system in managing fishermen and fishing vessels.

The PM requested coastal provinces to announce ports eligible for certification by October 30, and to fully address cases of VMS disconnection and violations in foreign waters by October 31. Media agencies were asked to continue raising awareness among fishermen and businesses regarding compliance with IUU regulations.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh underlined that combating IUU fishing violations is a crucial task to ensure the sustainable development of the fisheries sector and safeguard national interests. Ministries, sectors and localities must act resolutely while developing livelihood transition programs to support fishermen in shifting to alternative occupations.