EC to inspect Vietnam’s IUU yellow dard from March 21 to 31
The European Commission (EC) is expected to send an inspection team to Vietnam from March 21 to 31 to assess the country’s efforts in addressing the IUU (Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated) fishing yellow card.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD), the EC inspectors will work with the National Steering Committee for Combating IUU Fishing, Fisheries Port Management Boards, Fisheries Inspection and Control Offices, Fisheries Sub-Departments, the Fisheries Monitoring Center, and seafood enterprises.
The inspection will focus on four key areas:
- Fleet management – monitoring fishing vessels that violate foreign waters, tracking, inspecting, and supervising fishing boats, as well as overseeing landings at ports and offshore fishing activities.
- Control of imported seafood materials – ensuring compliance with the Port State Measures Agreement (PSMA) for seafood entering Vietnam via containers.
- Seafood traceability – verifying the origins of seafood caught in Vietnam’s waters.
- Law enforcement – particularly in preventing violations in foreign waters and assessing the implementation of recent amendments under Decree 37/2024/ND-CP and Decree 38/2024/ND-CP.
Vu Duyen Hai, Deputy Director of the Directorate of Fisheries (MARD), stated that local authorities have taken proactive steps in combating IUU fishing. They have issued timely directives, developed detailed plans, and implemented measures in line with the guidance from the Party Secretariat, the Government, the Prime Minister, and the Deputy Prime Minister. Officials have also conducted accountability checks, ensuring that agencies and individuals fulfill their responsibilities. Fishing fleets have been reviewed, and their numbers are regularly updated and monitored.
All active fishing vessels are now equipped with Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS) as required, allowing authorities to track and oversee their movements. Strict controls are also in place at fishing ports, ensuring vessels comply with all legal procedures before departure. Unauthorized boats are barred from going out to sea.
According to Phung Duc Tien, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, lifting the EC’s IUU yellow card requires Vietnam to fully implement four key measures: fleet management, vessel monitoring, seafood traceability, and strict enforcement of violations. He emphasized that the EC’s upcoming inspection is a crucial opportunity for Vietnam to demonstrate its commitment to resolving the issue. Therefore, local authorities must take firm and decisive actions rather than adopting a superficial or passive approach.
VFM
