A regional conference on combating illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing is taking place in Da Nang from April 23 - 25, attracting over 70 international delegates and experts in the field of fisheries law enforcement from the US, Australia, Canada, South Korea, Japan, the UK, Malaysia, the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand and Viet Nam.

Vice Chairman of the Da Nang People's Committee Tran Chi Cuong speaking at the opening ceremony of the conference

The 3-day event was jointly organised by the US Embassy, the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, the US Department of State, and the Department of Fisheries Inspection under the Vietnamese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

In his remarks at the opening ceremony of the conference, Vice Chairman of the Da Nang People's Committee Tran Chi Cuong said that Viet Nam clearly identified the sustainable fisheries development as the core to solve the problem of IUU fishing. The country’s Fisheries Industry has synchronously implemented strategies and projects in a sustainable and responsible way.

Viet Nam has recorded some outstanding results in the field, including achieving high level of awareness, drastic action and consensus of the entire society to implement the provisions of anti-IUU fishing regulations; and building a comprehensive legal framework for responsible fisheries management and combating IUU fishing according to international standards.

Also, the management of fishing vessels has had many positive changes such as building and operating the national database of fishing vessels, connecting from central to local levels; and over 97.65% of fishing vessels operating in offshore waters installed with vessel monitoring systems (VMS).

Moreover, the traceability of seafood origin has been implemented and controlled along the chain, from controlling output through ports to issuing export certificates and managing raw materials at processing factories.

A national database on sanctions for administrative violations in the fisheries sector from central to local levels has been built, whilst aggregated data to serve law enforcement has been created.

The conference is attended by more than 70 international delegates and experts in the field of fisheries law enforcement from 12 countries. Photo: VAN HOANG

Vice Chairman Cuong highlighted the importance of the joint efforts made by the international community, especially the close cooperation between law enforcement forces in the region, in the fight against IUU fishing.

The event aims to strengthen cooperation among member countries in the region, creating a platform for networking with experts as well as fisheries law enforcement agencies at regional and international levels.

This is an opportunity for law enforcement forces involving fighting IUU fishing to share challenges and practical experiences in the field, especially strengthening bilateral cooperation in fisheries law enforcement.

During the event, participating delegates focused on exchanging and sharing updates on global trends in the fight against IUU; challenges in fisheries in the region; initiatives to enhance cooperation and information sharing; overview of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission and its tools for monitoring, control and surveillance (MCS) of fishing vessels; and experiences in handling domestic and international IUU violations through hypothetical situational exercises.

Reporting by VAN HOANG - Translating by M.DUNG