The Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) and the Vietnam Coast Guard have signed a new memorandum of understanding (MOU) to cooperate in combating illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing as well as ensuring Vietnamese fisheries are sustainably and effectively managed.
Both parties agreed to discuss and coordinate the implementation of a national action plan to combat IUU fishing and to support each other’s IUU-related programs. Essentially, they have committed to cooperating in three core tasks: Support and exchange information; propagate and fight against illegal fishing; and other cooperative activities, including working with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) and local fisheries management agencies to establish a fisheries data center aimed at improving product traceability.
The MOU follows hot on the heels of the yellow card warning that Vietnam received from the European Commission (EC) for not doing enough to tackle IUU, with identified shortcomings including the lack of an effective sanctioning system to deter IUU fishing activities and a lack of action to address illegal fishing activities conducted by Vietnamese vessels in waters of neighboring countries, including Pacific Small Island Developing States.
The EC also said that Vietnam has a poor system to control landings of fish that are processed locally before being exported to international markets, including the EU.
VASEP has said it recognizes that the yellow card offers the possibility for Vietnam to take measures to rectify these challenges and expects that in the next six months its fisheries sector will have implemented sufficient improvements, recognized by the EU, so that exporters can continue to supply one of its most important markets.
Historically, Vietnam exports between USD 350 million (EUR 296.4 million) and USD 400 million (EUR 338.7 million) worth of seafood to the EU annually, said the association.
