A webinar to disseminate the Secretariat’s Directive 32-CT/TW on enhancing the Party's leadership over the illegal, unreported, unregulated (IUU) fishing combat, and the fisheries sector’s sustainable development was held in Da Nang on Monday.

The event was connected with the 28 coastal provinces and cities via videoconference.

Da Nang leaders attending the webinar to disseminate the Secretariat’s Directive 32-CT/TW at the city's broadcasting bridge point. Photo: HOANG HIEP

In attendance at the city's broadcasting bridge point were municipal Party Committee Secretary Nguyen Van Quang, People’s Committee Chairman Le Trung Chinh, Permanent Vice Chairman in charge of the municipal People's Council Tran Phuoc Son, and Chairman of the Viet Nam Fatherland Front Committee of the city Ngo Xuan Thang.

In her speech delivered at the event, Mrs. Truong Thi Mai, Politburo member, Permanent Member of the Party Central Committee’s Secretariat and Chairwoman of the Party Central Committee’s Organisation Commission, said that since the European Commission issued the “yellow card” in 2017, Viet Nam has become further aware of this issue’s negative impacts on the long-term development of the fisheries sector. Better awareness could be seen among all-level Party committees, the political system, localities, fishermen, and relevant workers who have also made stronger and more active moves.

She emphasised the need for full awareness, full action, and full determination to realise the targets and solutions specified in Directive 32-CT/TW. In particular, the “very high” target is to have the “yellow card” lifted in 2024.

The official cited the directive as identifying this as an important, urgent, and also long-term issue.

She also pointed out four main groups of solutions in the anti-IUU fight, including continuing to improve institutions; inspecting and closely monitoring the activities of fishing vessels and ship owners; boosting the certification and traceability of aquatic products; and enforcing the law effectively. At the same time, it is necessary to absorb good experiences from Thailand and the Philippines in removing the EC's "yellow card".

Permanent Member of the Party Central Committee’s Secretariat Truong Thi Mai speaking at the online conference. Photo: HOANG HIEP

Negative impacts of the warning are clear, she pointed out, elaborating that all aquatic exports to the EU have to undergo examination, instead of random check. Expenses companies have to pay have also increased. In the long run, if the “yellow card” is not removed, not only the development of the fisheries sector or the country is affected but livelihoods of millions of fishermen and relevant workers will also be influenced.

Given this, Mrs. Mai asked relevant ministries, sectors, and localities to show strong resolve to have the “yellow card” lifted this year.

In the long term, she added, it is necessary to restructure the fisheries sectors towards transparency, responsibility, and sustainability; create suitable livelihoods and improve the life quality for fishermen and related workers; and conserve and develop fishery resources, thereby promoting Viet Nam’s image, stature, and reputation.

Also at the meeting, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang urged ministries, branches and localities to effectively implement propaganda work on combating IUU fishing and removing the EC's "yellow card" for Viet Nam's fisheries industry in order to continue to raise awareness and responsibilities of responsible people, fishermen, and related workers.

Heed should be on continuing to improve legal policies, especially regulations on penalties and strict handling of violations; deploying synchronously, decisively, and effectively the management of fleets and controlling of activities of fishing vessels; strengthening traceability of seafood origins; and investigating, verifying and strictly handling IUU fishing practices, he noted.

Reporting by HOANG HIEP - Translating by M.DUNG