Seafood exporters pledge to combat IUU fishing

A tuna is seen being processed at Phu Yen Tuna Fish Festival. Vietnamese seafood processing and exporting companies have committed to combating illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing - PHOTO: TRUNG CHANH

CAN THO – Vietnamese seafood processing and exporting companies have committed to combating illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing after the country got a “yellow card” from the European Commission (EC) over illegal fishing activities.

According to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), 62 local firms have signed up for the program. They are resolute about buying raw materials only from legal fishing vessels with clear origin and importing only legally caught seafood.

They will not buy seafood from fishing vessels operating without a permit, logbook or report in accordance with regulations or fishing using prohibited gear.

VASEP general secretary Truong Dinh Hoe told the Daily that the IUU fishing prevention program should be jointly implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and seafood processing and exporting enterprises.

A VASEP working group has come to Danang, Binh Thuan and Khanh Hoa to work with local fishery management agencies and fishing port management boards to inspect the process of issuing fishing licenses, and shortcomings in seafood exploitation and management.

The working group has pointed out many defects and difficulties in the fight against IUU including a lack of regulations to establish and manage a database of fishing boats, catches and species.