The Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers has worked with coast guards to stop illegal fishing activities by Vietnamese fishermen in other countries after the EU issued a yellow card warning to Vietnam.   

On October 23, the European Commission issued a yellow card warning for Vietnam's failure in addressing illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing. The reputation of Vietnam's fishing industry will be badly hurt and this is a huge challenge to overcome.

The total value of EU exports and other markets like the US, where a new system to fight against illegal fishing will be implemented on January 1 next year, may drop. All exports to EU will face longer inspection time which is more time-consuming and costly.

According to the EU, Vietnam has six months to improve the situation or else it will be given a red card and banned from exporting aquaculture products to EU.

VASEP said this was a chance for Vietnamese authorities and firms to re-assess their operations and to complete the managing system. Over 70 firms have committed themselves to fighting illegal fishing practices and that they would only buy products of clear origins.

VASEP is collaborating with the Directorate of Fisheries under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and related agencies on the issue. VASEP also proposed solutions to change the management methods over the fishing ports and build a database for management and trace ability.

On October 24, VASEP and the Vietnam Coast Guard signed a memorandum on the issue.

Vice Political Commissar of the Vietnam Coast Guard Maj. Gen. Hoang Van Dong said they had agreed to support, exchange information and raise public awareness about illegal fishing activities.

Illegal fishing activities by Vietnamese fishermen in the territorial waters of other countries have become more complicated in recent years, causing difficulties for exports. Statistics from Vietnam Coast Guard show that since 2015, over 1,500 Vietnamese fishing boats and 7,300 fishermen have been detained or chased away while fishing in the territorial waters of other countries.

dtinews