The central province of Quang Tri has been developing fisheries in a modern and sustainable manner and fighting illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUU).

National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue hailed the European Union as a top important partner in Vietnam’s foreign policy during a reception in Hanoi on February 23 for Chair of the European Parliament (EP)’s Committee on Foreign Affairs David McAllister.

The foreign-invested economic sector is an important component of Vietnam's economy and the Vietnamese Government always protects the legitimate rights and interests of investors, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said on February 15.

Vietnam has improved the fishery industry to meet requirements on the European Commission's illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing prevention after receiving the "yellow card" warning from the EC five years ago. Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Phung Duc Tien, spoke to Vietnam News Agency about this issue.

Greater efforts are needed to promptly detect, prevent, handle violations related to illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, especially acts of brokerage to bring Vietnamese fishing vessels to foreign waters for illegal fishing, an official from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development’s Directorate of Fisheries has said.

Deputy Prime Minister Le Van Thanh has ordered coastal and border guards and police forces to step up patrols, inspections, and handling of illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing at sea and in ports.

Although the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the fisheries sector have strived to adjust their management over the fishing activities by fishermen in a bid to remove the "yellow card" warning imposed by the European Commission over illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, more efforts are still needed, according to insiders.

Vietnam is ready to work with countries in the region and the international community to strengthen cooperation and share experiences in combating illegal fishing, stated Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokeswoman Le Thi Thu Hang.

Community-based groups in recent years have been helping protect marine environments and aquatic resources by detecting and preventing illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing in the central region.

Executive Vice President of the European Commission (EC) Frans Timmermans on February 18 expressed his wish to step up cooperation with Vietnam in climate change response to implement outcomes of the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow, the UK.