Prime Minister: Clearly review responsibilities for violations in seafood exploitation

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.jpg — Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh chairs the 14th meeting of the National Steering Committee on Combating Illegal Fishing. (Photo: Duong Giang/VNA)

The meeting was held directly at the Government headquarters, online with 21 coastal provinces and cities. Attending the meeting were: Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha; ministers, heads of ministerial-level agencies, government agencies; leaders of ministries, branches, central agencies, members of the IUU Steering Committee; leaders of coastal provinces and cities.

Opening the meeting, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh emphasized that Vietnam is a maritime country with abundant aquatic resources and its people have a tradition of fishing and exploiting offshore seafood. It is important that seafood exploitation must comply with international regulations and Vietnamese law.

The Secretariat has issued a Directive, the Government and the National Steering Committee on combating illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing have organized 13 meetings, 4 inspection teams in localities, advised on the issuance of 1 Directive of the Secretariat, 2 Directives and 8 Official Dispatches of the Prime Minister to direct ministries, branches and coastal localities to carry out the work of combating IUU fishing and recommended the "Yellow Card" warning of the European Commission (EC).

After 8 years, despite many efforts, there are still cases of illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, and the European Commission has not yet removed the IUU "Yellow Card" warning. The IUU "Yellow Card" for Vietnamese seafood has affected seafood exports; the honor and reputation of the country, and in particular, it demonstrates the effectiveness and efficiency of leadership, direction, and management of Party committees and authorities from the central to local levels.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh Iuu2.jpg — Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh chairs the 14th meeting of the National Steering Committee on Combating Illegal Fishing. (Photo: Duong Giang/VNA)

The Prime Minister emphasized that the goal is to end illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing so that the European Commission can remove the IUU "Yellow Card" warning. The Prime Minister noted that there is very little time left from now until the end of the year. In October, the European Commission's inspection team will come to inspect IUU in our country. In particular, in the context of the Vietnamese seafood market being at risk of shrinking and facing difficulties due to the tariff policies of other countries, the European Commission's withdrawal of the IUU "Yellow Card" will help Vietnamese seafood regain and expand its market, helping people increase their income.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh emphasized that we cannot be helpless in the face of violations in seafood exploitation, and expressed the hope that this would be the last meeting of the Steering Committee; illegal, unreported and unregulated seafood exploitation will end. The Prime Minister asked delegates to specifically assess the situation, especially to clearly review the roles and responsibilities in leadership, direction, management and measures of Party committees and authorities at all levels in removing the IUU "Yellow Card"; and public awareness.

Delegates pointed out the causes and proposed drastic solutions, in the spirit of "what is said must be done, what is committed must be effectively implemented" to strictly implement Directive No. 32-CT/TW dated April 10, 2024 of the Secretariat on strengthening the Party's leadership in combating illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and sustainable development of the fisheries sector (Directive 32).

Hanoi Moi Newspaper will continue to update information about the meeting./.

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/thu-tuong-kiem-diem-ro-trach-nhiem-viec-van-con-tinh-trang-vi-pham-trong-khai-thac-hai-san-717051.html