Source: Undercurrent News
The European Commission’s team of inspectors will begin its second review of Vietnam’s illegal fishing scene on Nov. 5, reports Vietnam Plus.
The team will investigate the implementation of measures by the Vietnamese government to reduce cases of illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing in its waters, after the European Commission issued a yellow card warning to Vietnam in 2017.
According to Vietnam Plus, the inspection team will work with Ho Chi Minh City officials from Nov. 5, arrive in Hanoi on Nov. 9, before holding working sessions with the Vietnamese fisheries directorate,Nov. 11-13. The outcomes of the inspection will then be reported to deputy prime minister Trinh Dinh Dung on Nov. 14.
Since the application of the yellow card, Vietnam has altered its law on fisheries, while two decrees and one official ‘decision’ from the prime minister have then reportedly helped to guide the enforcement of the program.
Over 31,500 fishing vessels have reportedly been outfitted with journey monitoring systems, while 20 inspection teams have been sent out by the ministry of agricultural and rural development to guide localities on how to fight IUU fishing.
Fines amounting to VND 7 billion ($304,000) have also been applied over the past two years to vessels and owners found to have violated the new regulations, reports Vietnam Plus.