Removing the European Commission (EC)’s illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing “yellow card” is not easy and cannot be done overnight, but the Vietnamese business community and associations are still determined to do, not only to meet EU requirements, but also for the sake of sustainable fishery development.

Vietnam aims to develop its fisheries sector into a large commodity production industry with competitive capacity and responsible and sustainable integration in line with international institutions, contributing to improving incomes for industry workers.

Vice Chairman of the Spanish Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam Rubén Saornil Mínguez recently appreciated efforts by the Vietnamese Government, businesses and fishermen in fighting illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing following the European Commission (EC)’s recommendations.

Fishermen in south-central Khanh Hoa province have begun to apply technology in fishing over recent years and posted remarkable results in terms of catches and earnings. Modern technology has helped them improve their standard of living while also protecting national sovereignty at sea.

The Mekong Delta province of Kien Giang will spend about 80.3 trillion VND (3.45 billion USD) on promoting safe, sustainable and effective agricultural production in the 2021-2025 period, according to the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Trade between Vietnam and China has produced positive results, despite long-lasting difficulties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, with Vietnam affirming its position as China’s largest trade partner in ASEAN.

Vietnam has been taking various measures across its provinces in order to fight IUU fishing so that it can have the yellow card that it still holds from the EU removed.

Fish catches are gradually recovering after the COVID-19 outbreak in central provinces, according to local fishermen.

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first quarter of 2020, Go Cong Dong district (Tien Giang province) achieved an output from aquaculture and fishing 19,450 MT of aquatic products of all kinds. In particular, 4,950 MT is harvested from aquaculture, the remaining is fished from marine fishing with 14,500 MT.

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Since the beginning of the year until now, the price of fuel and the fishing ground has stabilized while the fishery resources have been abundant, so most of the offshore fishing vessels have operated effectively.

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Aquaculture Cooperative of Ninh Phu Commune (Ninh Hoa Town, Khanh Hoa), with 10 members, is implementing biosecurity shrimp farming using biofloc, semi biofloc technology on an area of about 10 hectares. It is known that these models have been successfully implemented by Mr. Le Minh Chinh (Ninh Phu commune) - Director of Ninh Phu Aquaculture Cooperative in the past 7 years.

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Lately, Quang Nam fishermen's fishing activities have been effective, bringing a stable income for fishermen.

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Nguyễn Xuân Cường has urged 28 coastal provinces to promote further actions against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

The European Council has approved a decision to conclude the European Union-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), the final procedure from the E.U. side needed for the deal to become effective.

As shrimp exporters and farmers in Ca Mau are feeling COVID-19 headwinds, the southernmost province is seeking ways to mitigate impact of the pandemic that is ravaging around the world.