All 79,180 fishing vessels nationwide have been registered and updated on the VNFishbase system.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has directed ministries,
sectors and localities to pursue the dual goals of combating illegal,
unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing and fostering sustainable fisheries
development.

The instruction was delivered at the 25th meeting of
the National Steering Committee for Combating IUU Fishing, held in Hanoi on December 9, under the Prime Minister’s chair.

At the meeting, the committee reviewed progress in
addressing IUU fishing, with a focus on issues raised by the European
Commission (EC), preparations of reports in line with EC recommendations, and
strengthening fisheries cooperation with regional countries. Officials also
discussed measures to promote sustainable fisheries for the long-term benefit
of the country and its fishing communities.

PM Chinh stressed the need to restructure fishing fleets and workforce to ensure full compliance with the law; expand aquaculture;
reduce offshore exploitation; and improve both the material and spiritual
well-being of fishing communities. He also underscored the importance of
enhancing fisheries cooperation with neighbouring countries.

He instructed ministries, agencies and localities to
thoroughly review all issues highlighted by the EC, ensure accurate and
comprehensive reporting, and clearly identify areas of progress as well as
shortcomings requiring further action.

The Prime Minister called for close coordination in
preparing full and accurate reports for submission to the EC, and for candid,
substantive engagement with EC representatives to ensure data consistency. This
will enable the EC to make a complete and precise assessment of Vietnam’s
efforts to combat IUU fishing.

Over the past nearly two months, coastal localities have
launched a campaign to combat IUU fishing with the aim of removing the EC’s “yellow
card” warning this year.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment reported that the
national fisheries database (VNFishbase) has now been fully digitised and
integrated. All 79,180 fishing vessels nationwide have been registered and
updated on the VNFishbase system.

VnEconomy-Hà Lê