(VOVWORLD) -Getting the European Commission's yellow card lifted and fighting illegal, unreported, unregulated (IUU) fishing is not only the responsibility of the fisheries surveillance force but also the shared responsibility of the entire political system to preserve national image globally and contribute to socio-economic development, fisheries’ sustainability, and livelihoods for fishermen, said Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Phung Duc Tien.
 Conference scene. Photo: Minh Long/VOV
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Deputy Minister Tien addressed an online conference on Monday which discussed ways to support fishermen, enforce laws, protect aquatic resources, and combat IUU fishing.
He said that since the EC warned Vietnam with a "yellow card" for its IUU fishing more than six years ago, progress has been made in raising fishermen’s awareness.
“We have a very complete system of legal documents. Profound and fundamental change needs the engagement of the political system. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Government have submitted to the Party Secretariat to issue Directive No. 32 on the fight against IUU fishing."
"The Secretariat’s Standing Board will meet with 28 coastal provinces to thoroughly deliver this Directive and involve the entire political system. Among them, the fisheries surveillance force, border guard, navy, and coast guard are the core forces. We believe the yellow card will be lifted as soon as possible,” Deputy Minister Tien said.
 Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Phung Duc Tien speaking at the event. Photo: Minh Long/VOV
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Since 2014, the fisheries surveillance force has conducted more than 400 patrols and observed 65,000 boats in an efforts to combat IUU fishing.