The committee, led by Deputy Prime Minister Trinh Dinh Dung, will help the Government deal with important  inter-sectoral issues related to IUU fishing. In late 2017, the European Commission issued a "yellow card" warning to Vietnam, after the country failed to demonstrate sufficient progress in the fight against IUU fishing. Countries that fail to meet EC standards are given a "yellow card", followed by a "green card" if the problems are resolved, or a "red card" if they are not. A red card can lead to a trade ban on fishery products.

According to EC requirements, the Vietnamese seafood sector has to implement nine recommendations, issue sanctions against IUU fishing which should be written in the revised Law on Fisheries, and give concrete evidence to prove the country’s efforts in the fight against IUU fishing.