Lifting IUU yellow card remains government's top priority: Vietnam PM

THE HANOI TIMES — The Vietnamese Government has made the removal of the EU’s IUU yellow card its top political priority, directing ministries and provinces to tighten enforcement and restructure fisheries toward lawful, sustainable and responsible operations, with a fully compliant fleet and workforce.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh delivered the directive at a Government meeting on December 9, stressing that lifting the yellow card is essential to “protect the country's credibility, honor and interests and support the livelihoods of its people.”

Government reports show that ministries and agencies have stepped up interagency inspections, reinforcing IUU prevention efforts in 

The government's reports show that ministries and agencies have continued dispatching interagency missions to inspect IUU prevention efforts in localities.

The national fisheries database has now been fully digitized with integrated, multi-purpose functions that meet the criteria of accuracy, completeness, transparency and real-time updates.

Databases on vessel registration and related information, along with systems that track and manage fishing activities via vessel monitoring systems (VMS), are now subject to clear rules on data use and access. Only authorized agencies, organizations and individuals are permitted to hold accounts to operate these systems.

Enforcement units are maintaining strict control over vessel departures and arrivals to ensure that boats lacking required conditions do not operate.

Agencies are implementing a coordination mechanism to inspect and control fishing activities and monitor landings at ports as required.

Policies on job transition, vessel decommissioning and liquidation have been rolled out. Most tasks scheduled for the past week were completed with positive results. Vessel management and monitoring remain stringent, especially for boats that do not meet operational conditions. All 79,360 fishing vessels have been registered and updated in the national VNFishbase database.

No Vietnamese vessels were detained for violating foreign waters during the past week. Enforcement against IUU violations continues to show progress. Most cases involving VMS disconnection or boundary violations have been resolved. Communication efforts on IUU prevention have been significantly strengthened.

Speaking at the meeting, PM Chinh called for stronger aquaculture and seafood processing, job creation and improved livelihoods for coastal communities, along with efforts to tap the unique strengths and competitive advantages of Vietnam's maritime zones and expand fisheries cooperation with other countries.

For specific tasks, the prime minister asked the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment to provide clear guidance and compile a complete and accurate report for the European Commission (EC) based on submissions from localities.

The report must show what has been done well, what needs improvement, existing challenges and next steps. He requested frank discussions with the EC to ensure both sides share a consistent and comprehensive understanding of Vietnam's IUU enforcement efforts.

According to Chinh, local governments must mobilize the entire political system with clear leadership from Party committees and administrations at all levels and active participation from citizens and industry associations, especially in verifying product origin.

“Any locality unable to present a clear grasp of the situation will face accountability, while those performing well will be commended in accordance with Party and state regulations,” Chinh added.

The Ministry of National Defense will maintain patrols in waters bordering Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand. It will continue to control vessel departures and arrivals, strictly handle boats that do not meet required conditions and guide vessel owners and captains to complete electronic procedures through VNeID.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will work with foreign authorities to verify information on Vietnamese vessels and crew detained since 2024 and supply updated lists so unresolved cases and illegal brokerage networks can be addressed. Based on this data, the Ministry of Public Security will direct police to handle outstanding cases.

Seafood associations and businesses must strictly comply with the ban on purchasing, processing or exporting products linked to IUU fishing and cooperate with authorities to investigate and sanction violators.

Media agencies will continue to publicize guidance, highlight local progress and expose violations that harm Vietnam’s reputation and threaten the sustainable development of the fisheries sector.

The Government Inspectorate will conduct inspections to strictly handle violations related to IUU fishing.