Fifty-two marine product enterprises in Vietnam have joined a new program that aims to help the country combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
Through the agreement, these companies agree to only purchase marine raw materials sourced from legal fishing vessels with clear traceability and to only import legally caught seafood. Additionally, they promise not to buy catches sourced from illegal fishing vessels, which includes those boats operating without permits and logbooks, and those fishing with prohibited fishing gears.
Signatories will also not source species that are protected or under the minimum landing size limit.
The program, its action plan and budget were approved at a conference in Ho Chi Minh City, which was organized by the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP).
The association has been urging Vietnam’s seafood processors, importers and exporters to participate in the fight against IUU fishing or risk being prohibited from exporting to key markets such as the EU. It recently warned its seafood sector that Vietnam could be given a "yellow card" by the EU if it does not quickly and fully adhere to the bloc’s requirements on fighting IUU fishing, in particular addressing five recommendations made by the Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries’ (DG MARE) working group during a review period in May this year.
