Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang has requested that relevant ministries, agencies, and localities adopt drastic measures against illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing activities, the Government News has reported.

Chairing the ninth meeting of the National Steering Committee for IUU Fishing Prevention and Control in the Mekong Delta’s Kien Giang province on February 5, Deputy Prime Minister Quang, who is also head of the Committee, ordered it to launch a campaign on fighting IUU fishing with the ultimate goal being the removal of the European Commission (EC)’s “yellow card” warning.

Focus should be on preventing fishing vessels from encroaching upon foreign waters and strictly punishing violators without exception.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) was assigned to arrange inspection teams, instruct localities on combating IUU fishing, and report the results to the Prime Minister.

Ministries, agencies, and localities are also required to fully address shortcomings as recommended by the EC during its fourth inspection.

A fifth EC inspection team is scheduled to visit in April.