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.
IUU fishing activities cause the decrease of fisheries resources, have negative impacts on external relations and export activities of Vietnam’s seafood in the international arena. The Vietnamese Government does not tolerate and encourage IUU fishing activities in domestic or international waters. However, IUU fishing is a socio-economic and historical issue due to objective and subjective causes and is associated with small-scale fishery characteristics. Therefore, a suitable, responsible and humanitarian approach is needed, especially with regard to time spent for mobilization and education combined with strict administrative sanctions in accordance with international law and legal provisions of each nation.
This Decision will be taken into effect from the signed date.
The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, ministers, heads of ministerial-level agencies, heads of governmental agencies, chairpersons of provincial People's Committees, centrally-controlled cities and organizations, individuals concerned shall be responsible for implementing this Decision.
Promulgate with this Decision the National plan of action to prevent, deter and eliminate illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing until 2025.
This action plan is in line with Viet Nam's fisheries policy, guidelines and legislation, including comprehensive and integrated actions to prevent, deter and eliminate IUU fishing effectively, practically associated with sustainable exploitation of fisheries resources; International integration, enhancing the prestige and affirming the position of Vietnam on the international arena.
Please see the full Decision in the attached file