A working delegation from the Viet Nam Border Guard High Command conducted an inspection of efforts to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing in Ho Chi Minh City from February 26 to March 1.

As a delegation from the European Commission (EC) is set to visit Viet Nam to assess efforts against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, Ho Chi Minh City is accelerating efforts to complete fleet management and compile dossiers and data in a bid to help remove the EC’s “yellow card” on Vietnamese seafood exports.

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha on February 25 signed an official dispatch, ordering urgent preparations for the fifth inspection by the European Commission (EC) and reaffirming Viet Nam’s determination to have the “yellow card” warning on its seafood exports removed.

The KN 306 and KN 317 ships (belonging to the Fisheries Surveillance Team No. 3) set sail again, beginning a long-term mission at sea to perform their Tet (Lunar New Year) duty on February 10 when the mainland is bustling with the colours of the new spring.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has ordered the establishment of inter-agency inspection teams to intensify efforts against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing which, he stressed, remains a direct challenge to national credibility, seafood exports and the livelihoods of law-abiding fishermen.

Since the 28th meeting of the National Steering Committee on combating illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment has completed and submitted a report on IUU fishing prevention to the European Commission (EC).

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has asked for honest reporting and result-oriented efforts in the combat against illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, with the dual aim of having the European Commission (EC)’s “yellow card” warning against Vietnamese seafood lifted and promoting a sustainable and responsible fisheries industry.

High-tech marine aquaculture not only helps Viet Nam tap its marine potential more effectively and open up a new development pathway, but also makes an important contribution to the strategy to combat IUU fishing, protect the environment, and improve the livelihoods of coastal farmers and fishers. A reporter from Nhan Dan Newspaper spoke with Associate Professor Dr Nguyen Huu Dung, President of the Viet Nam Marine Aquaculture Association.

Malaysian Minister of Foreign Affairs Dato’ Seri Utama Haji Mohamad Bin Haji Hasan has affirmed that Malaysia will continue assisting Viet Nam in developing the Halal industry and combating illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has demanded ministries, heads of sectors, and leaders of localities to promote decisive and effective actions to ensure the tasks and targets for 2025 and the 2021–2025 period are achieved with the best possible results, creating momentum for successfully implementing the resolution of the coming 14th National Party Congress.

Viet Nam has spent more than eight years working to address the European Commission’s “yellow card” warning over illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing on Vietnamese seafood, from refining its legal framework and tightening vessel management to ensuring transparent traceability. These substantive improvements are laying the groundwork for Viet Nam to enter a decisive phase in removing the “yellow card”.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has underlined that having the European Commission (EC)’s "yellow card" warning over illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing removed in 2025 and sustainably developing the fisheries sector is an urgent and essential task, one that must be completed without delay.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has directed ministries, sectors, localities and State-owned groups to prioritise maintaining macroeconomic stability and accelerating export growth.

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha has emphasised the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (MAE)'s primary role in overseeing the fisheries sector. He urged relevant ministries and agencies to closely supervise and inspect the execution of their assigned tasks to address delays in combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son has signed a decision approving a plan for implementing the Protocol Amending the Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies.

The PM underlined that heads of ministries and localities bear full responsibility for any recurrence of violations or delays in removing the "yellow card".

After ten days of implementing a peak campaign against IUU fishing from October 29 to November 8, patrol and inspection forces of Coast Guard Region 3, in coordination with Border Guard Squadron 18, detected and fined 54 fishing vessels, collecting more than 580 million VND (about 22,000 USD) in fines.

Viet Nam is determined to strictly, openly, and transparently handle all violations related to illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Pham Thu Hang affirmed at the ministry’s regular press conference in Ha Noi on November 6.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh chaired the 20th session of the National Steering Committee on Combating Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing in Hanoi on November 4.

On recent days, in the spirit of the peak emulation campaign themed “Determined and resolute to prevent and put an end to illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing”, officers and soldiers of the ships under Naval Region 5 Command are maintaining a constant presence at sea, intensifying patrols and inspections across the southwestern waters of the Fatherland.