Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Phung Duc Tien chairs a conference to announce a government action plan to fight IUU fishing, Hanoi, February 20, 2023. (Photo: mard.gov.vn)

An online conference took place in Hanoi on Monday to announce the action plan to fight IUU fishing and discuss preparations for the next working session with EC inspectors.

Under the plan, from now until May, solutions will be deployed to strengthen communications domestically and on international forums to ensure the transparency of Vietnam's efforts to combat IUU fishing, implement the legal framework, and manage, monitor, and inspect fishing vessels.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Phung Duc Tien asked localities to strengthen management and keep fishing vessels from violating foreign waters.

"We are increasingly integrated into the world economy. We must strictly enforce the regulations of international organizations, and respect the spirit of sustainable development under the Fisheries Law 2017," he said.

Removing the yellow card is a very important task, Mr. Tien said, adding that it requires the whole political system, and coordination between ministries and localities to implement the government plan. 

"The Prime Minister said he believes the yellow card will soon be removed," he noted.