EC acknowledges Vietnam’s efforts in preventing illegal fishing

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Deputy Prime Minister Trinh Dinh Dung hosts reception for the European Commission’s delegation, led by Veronika Veits - Director for the International Ocean Governance and Sustainable Fisheries at the Government Office in Hanoi on November 14, 2019. Photo: VGP

Deputy Prime Minister Trinh Dinh Dung on Thursday (Nov 14) hosted a reception for the European Commission’s delegation, led by Veronika Veits - Director for the International Ocean Governance and Sustainable Fisheries.

At the reception, Veronika said her delegation had working sessions with Vietnamese ministries, agencies and coastal localities over the past ten days to review Vietnam’s efforts in preventing illegal, regulated and unreported (IUU) fishing.

Through frank discussions, members of the delegation were impressed with the progress Vietnam has made in implementing the EC’s recommendations, according to Veronika.

It is important to note that the Vietnamese Government, ministries, agencies and relevant localities have demonstrated strong determination to prevent IUU fishing through building a legal framework in accordance with international practices.

She asked Vietnam to seriously implement the current regulations while strengthening inspection over illegal fishing as it is the key for the EC to remove the “yellow card” to Vietnamese seafood exports.

Meanwhile, Dung affirmed Vietnamese authorities from central to local levels have deployed drastic measures to realize the EC’s recommendations with top priority given to terminating illegal fishing in foreign waters.

Leaders of the Government, ministries and agencies have conducted regular inspection tours and working sessions with localities to seek effective measures to counter IUU fishing, which have contributed to improving fishermen’ awareness of the significance of this matter, Dung stressed.

Vietnam has also imposed strict fines against fishermen’ violations of foreign waters in the Asia-Pacific region, Dung added.

Dung affirmed Vietnam will continue drastic efforts to overcome the remaining shortcomings, including further improvement of legal framework and installation of the fishing vessel monitoring system.

He asked the delegation to support Vietnam’s active efforts and soon remove the “yellow card” on Vietnamese seafood exports to the EU./.

By Quang Minh/VGP