HCMCity (VNA) – Although the European Commission (EC)’s issuance of ayellow card warning has caused certain difficulties for fisheries businessesand fishermen of Vietnam, many experts said this is a chance for the country torestructure its fisheries sector.

Vietnam was given a yellow card warning by theEC in September, 2017 for failing to progress in fighting illegal, unreportedand unregulated (IUU) fishing. It was offered an opportunity to rectify thesituation within six months. 

An EC delegation visited Vietnam in May, 2018 toinspect the outcomes of measures to control IUU fishing. The "yellowcard" is followed by a "green card" if the problem is resolvedor a "red card" if it isn’t. A “red card” can lead to a trade ban onfishery products.

Nguyen Thi Thu Sac, head of the steering boardfor illegal fishing prevention of the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exportersand Producers (VASEP), said it is more difficult to manage aquatic materialscaught in the nature compared to aquacultural products. 

However, the anti-IUU fishing regulations havecreated not only challenges but also a turning point for the whole fishingindustry to restructure itself in a systematic manner and catch up with theworld’s common development trend.

She added that these regulations will helpdevelop a more civilised and progressive fishing practice among fishermen.Meanwhile, seafood processors and exporters will be more careful about theorigin of seafood materials so as to meet strict requirements of importers.

Nguyen Xuan Nam, Chairman of the Hai Vuong Co.Ltd in the central province of Khanh Hoa, said seriously complying withEurope’s requirements is a major chance to assert the prestige of Vietnameseseafood in this market as well as in the world.

Once Vietnamese seafood products meet standardsand enter Europe in a legal manner, there will be huge opportunities for thecountry’s seafood processing and exporting sector to expand its market to otherdestinations.

With efforts by the Government, businesses andlocalities with fishing activities over the past six months, Vietnam has beencarrying out the nine anti-IUU fishing recommendations given by the EC.

VASEP Secretary General Truong Dinh Hoe said hisassociation has coordinated with enterprises and localities to raisefishermen’s awareness of keeping fishing and seafood purchase records. VASEPhas also asked the Government to support fishermen more strongly in terms ofinfrastructure, equipment and technology to meet requirements for fishingactivities and the seafood sector’s sustainability.

Minister of Agriculture and Rural DevelopmentNguyen Xuan Cuong said localities need to review fishing boat monitoringsystems and licences of fishing and seafood purchasing vessels.

The fishing industry needs to make strongerefforts and more drastic actions to soon build a responsible fisheries sectorwith sustainable development and integration, he added.-VNA