Vietnam (Press Release).- On October 23rd 2017, on the website: europa.eu, European Commission has published the Press Release on warning Vietnam with a “yellow card” over insufficient action to fight illegal fishing.
This is likely to affect the prestige and export activity of Vietnam marine products. However, warning Vietnam with a “yellow card” from EU is also an opportunity for Vietnam’s fishing sector to re-evaluate the current situation, reorganize the production, improve fisheries management system for the target of sustainable development.
Be aware of the need to comply with EU’s IUU regulations as well as show strong determination to combat IUU fishing, Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) and marine product enterprises have agreed and determined to implement the action program on combating IUU fishing with the participation and commitment of 76 factories of marine product processing and exporting (updated as of 25 October 2017). VASEP has been joining hand with the Directorate of Fisheries (D-Fish), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD), cooperating with Vietnam Coast Guard and relevant agencies to implement the national action plan on combating IUU fishing.
With the desire that the EU will not switch to the red card warning in the next 6 months and towards the return of the green card to Vietnam, VASEP and marine product enterprise community will continue to strictly implement the commitments on purchasing raw materials sourced from legal fishing vessels with clear traceability, saying no to banned marine products, developing transparent seafood purchasing rules; continuing to closely coordinate, actively support the state management agencies in implementing regulations on preventing IUU fishing, proposing changes in the management method of fishing ports, building fisheries database for the management and traceability, meeting the requirements of the EU market …
With the active cooperation with MARD, D-Fish, Department of Fisheries Resources Surveillance, Sub-Departments of Fisheries and fishing ports, Vietnam Coast Guard as well as efforts of marine product enterprise and fishermen community, VASEP expects in the next 6 months, Vietnamese fisheries sector will have institutional and practical improvements recognized by the EU so that Vietnam can keep a large importing market with the average export value of US$350-400 million per year.
