Clarifying IUU results, avoiding formalistic reporting

On the afternoon of January 6, Tran Hong Ha, Head of the National Steering Committee on combating illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, chaired the Committee’s 29th meeting to review tasks assigned by the Prime Minister and the Steering Committee following the 28th meeting.

Concluding the meeting, the Deputy Prime Minister acknowledged the strong engagement of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, relevant ministries and sectors, and 22 coastal provinces and cities. To date, Viet Nam has completed and submitted to the European Commission a comprehensive dossier detailing its IUU fishing prevention and control efforts.

He requested agencies to continue reviewing and regularly updating data to clearly reflect progress and newly achieved results, avoiding the repetition of outdated figures. Where information remains unclear, direct verification is required to ensure accuracy, with reports focusing strictly on updated progress and outcomes to prevent internal misunderstandings. Reports must demonstrate concrete improvements, particularly periods with no Vietnamese fishing vessels violating foreign waters, an issue of special concern to the EC.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment was also asked to fully update the results of self-inspections and preventive measures, including the timely detection and prevention of vessels at risk of violations. Outcomes related to administrative sanctions and the handling of vessels violating foreign waters must be clearly documented.

Regarding the management of vessels whose registrations have been revoked or cancelled, the Deputy Prime Minister stressed the need to clarify their current status where the vessels are, whether they still exist or have been dismantled rather than merely cancelling registration papers. Clear legal responsibilities must be defined to avoid ambiguity over accountability in cases of violations or inaccurate reporting.

On fisheries databases and electronic vessel monitoring systems, the Deputy Prime Minister commended the effective use of interconnected systems by the Ministry of National Defence, border guards, police and technical agencies. However, he underlined that responsibility for guidance and system operation rests with the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, which must promptly issue simple, accessible legal and technical instructions for fishermen, captains, crew members and management agencies, including via phones, applications and signage.

He also called for a clear roadmap toward electronic fishing logbooks; strict yet non-burdensome control of vessel monitoring devices; and adjustments to unreasonable regulations, such as mandatory return to port when signal loss occurs due to objective causes.

Seafood exporters to the EU must conduct self-review

On enforcement, the Deputy Prime Minister instructed localities particularly An Giang and Ca Mau to act within their authority and promptly complete sanction dossiers, while committing to the accuracy and legality of reviewed data before the Government and the Prime Minister. The Government Inspectorate will conduct spot checks in selected localities, while the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment will consolidate inspection results for reporting at the next thematic meeting.

He also required seafood processing, exporting and importing enterprises linked to the EU market to conduct self-declaration, self-review and self-remediation. Honest disclosures may be considered for appropriate policies, while violations uncovered through inspections will be handled strictly.

Regarding traceability of captured seafood, the Deputy Prime Minister emphasized continued investigation, statistical review and cross-checking among border guard data, fishing ports and electronic systems, moving toward nationwide data matching and a shift from pre-inspection to post-inspection.

He urged ministries, sectors and localities to focus on effective outcomes, reduce meetings and enhance practical efficiency, and to immediately implement concluded tasks for reporting to the Prime Minister in the coming week.

During the week, no Vietnamese fishing vessels were reported detained by foreign authorities. The number of unresolved cases of vessels violating foreign waters stands at 24. Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Phung Duc Tien requested the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to coordinate with localities to provide information and resolve the remaining cases promptly.