Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh speaks at a meeting on combating IUU fishing. (Photo: VOV)

In the past week from October 14 to 21, as a result of Vietnam's tougher measures, the number of unlicensed and unqualified vessels decreased significantly; 80% of fishing vessels nationwide updated their owners' ID information to the system.

At the meeting, Prime Minister Chinh said that he had just signed and issued Official Dispatch 198 on the peak month of fighting IUU fishing and Decision 2310 promulgating the Action Plan. He urged strict enforcement of the plan and determination to have the European Commission (EC) lift its “yellow card” warning imposed on Vietnamese seafood exports.

“We're determined to have the EC’s yellow card lifted. This is a matter of national honor and credibility. We must build a sustainable fisheries industry by our own efforts. Citizens must be educated not to violate the law. A nationwide media campaign by news outlets, including Vietnam Television, Voice of Vietnam, Vietnam News Agency, and Nhan Dan (People) Newspaper, must spread "Concrete action to lift the IUU yellow card" and "Sustainable fisheries development," said Prime Minister Chinh. 

He requested the Ministry of National Defense’s continued patrol to prevent fishing vessels from encroaching foreign waters and the completion of data connection and early warning systems for vessel monitoring by October 30, 2025. The Ministry of Justice was tasked with submitting a new decree to increase penalties for IUU violations.