The threat of a bad report card from the European Union has alarmed the more than 30,000 Vietnamese commercial traditional trawlers considered at risk of being deemed uncooperative in the fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. With EU officials expected to return to Vietnam next week for a reassessment of Vietnam’s violations, the fishing industry has been fast-tracking measures to correct its marine practices. In the process, Vietnam may become a model for ASEAN countries.

Vietnam is pushing to implement recommendations from the European Commission in advance of a new round of inspections that the country’s leaders hope will lead to the elimination of a warning label it received from the commission last year.

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Below is the list of enterprises who are committed to purchasing raw materials sourced from legal fishing vessels with clear traceability and only importing legally caught seafood. These enterprises resolutely do not buy catches sourced from illegal fishing vessels operating without permit, logbook and report in accordance with regulations, or fishing with prohibited fishing gears. They say no to the protected species and catches with smaller size than the minimum size limits.

On November 15, 2018, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development promulgated a Circular No. 21/2018/TT-BNNPTNT on preparation and submission of fishing reports and fishing logbooks; publishing of list of fishing ports designated to issue statement of fishery products processed from catches, and IUU vessel list; validation of catch statements for raw materials and catch certificates.

Fisheries Committee MEPs visited Hanoi and Vietnamese coastal provinces last week, to look into Vietnam's efforts in fighting illegal, unregulated and unreported (IUU) fishing.

On October 18th 2018, the EU and the Republic of Korea have pledged to work closely together to fight against Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing with a joint statement signed by European Commissioner for Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Karmenu Vella, and Mr Kim Young-Choon, Minister for Oceans and Fisheries of the Republic of Korea. The signing took place on the eve of a bilateral EU-Republic of Korea Summit.

Vietnam has been active in implementing nine recommendations related to the fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing of the European Commission (EC) to ensure responsible and sustainable fisheries, said Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) Nguyen Xuan Cuong.

On Feb 2nd 2018, the Government promulgates the Decree No. 17/2018/ND-CP providing amendments to the Government’s Decree No. 67/2014/ND-CP dated July 07, 2014 on certain fishery development policies.

On 16 January 2018, the Prime Minister of Vietnam has issued the Decision No 78/QĐ-TTg on national plan of action to prevent, deter and eliminate illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing up to 2025.

On November 21, 2017, The National Assembly of Vietnam promulgated Law No. 18/2017/QH14 on Fishery

In 2008, the European Commission (EC) issued Regulation 1005/2008 on illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUU). According to the regulation, the countries exporting exploited products to the European Union (EU) must comply with the regulations on IUU.

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The PM has sent official telegram No. 732/CD-TTg on prevention, reduction and stopping of infringements by Vietnamese fishing vessels and fishermen regarding illegal fishing in foreign countries’ waters.

The People’s Committee of Da Nang has promulgated a plan on fisheries inspection across the central city to ensure the origins of aquatic products.

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Illegal fishing will not be purchased by businesses, which makes ocean tuna fishers do not violate illegal fishing.