International Focus Magazine Vol. 3, #7 | Page 41

ery resources protection, management of fishing activities, fishing boats and fishery ports, and responsibility of au- thorities at all levels. Vietnam Prime Minister issued a offi- cial document on prevention No. 732 (on 28th of May 2017), reduction and stopping of infringements by Viet- namese fishing vessels and fishermen regarding illegal fishing in foreign countries’ waters; issued Directive No. 45/CT-TTG (on 13th December 2017) requires the ministers, the Gov- ernment agencies and the presidents of the provincial/municipal People’s Committees to strictly obey regula- tions to combat IUU fishing; issued a national action plan to prevent, miti- gate and eliminate illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing until 2025 (Decision No. 78/QD - TTG, on 16th January 2018). or a fine seven times higher than the value of illegal catch. Meanwhile, the organizations involved in IUU fish- ing will be fined VND 2 billion. Apart from this, violators’ fishing licenses will be revoked. Vietnam has also improved the en- forcement capacity of the state man- agement system and to end the situ- ation of fishing vessels engaged in illegal fishing in the waters of other countries. The goverment continued to focus on practical implementation, including actions of fishermen and ship own- ers, who must follow criteria such as noting diary, installing equipment for controlling fishing itinerary, sending Under amended Law on Fisheries, reports to the fishing port manage- IUU fishing will be heavily fined. ment agency, identifying the origin Fishing boat owners and captains will of seafood to fight against IUU fish- be given the highest fines of VND 1 ing and certificating export batches of billion (USD 43,900) for violations seafood following the demand of the iF Magazine | www.iFMagazine.net 41