Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam, 31 May 2024 - Sometimes it starts with a fish hook. Sometimes it starts with a seizure. No matter how it begins, crimes in the fisheries sector are a threat to sustainable development and the livelihoods and food security of people around the world. Cooperation amongst the entities tasked with managing the fisheries sector is critical to prevent and address these crimes.
In Viet Nam, the fisheries industry contributes 4% of GDP, and there are millions working in aquaculture, capture fisheries and processing services. The country has been under an EU “yellow card” since 2017, restricting its ability to export its fish and seafood products to the EU. This is a considerable concern, as Viet Nam is the third largest exporter of aquatic products in the world, and access to markets is critical to continue to grow its economy.
As part of the Fishnet II project, funded by NORAD, UNODC has been supporting countries around the world to address crimes in the fisheries sector. Viet Nam is the only country in Southeast Asia benefiting from the project. In May 2024, agencies from across the country that have a role to play in fisheries management and enforcement got together at a workshop organized by UNODC to strengthen their coordination and cooperation to combat crimes in the fisheries sector.
“As the world’s second-largest exporter of seafood, Norway attaches great importance to the resources of the oceans and has practiced sustainable management of the fishery sector for decades. This includes combating fish crimes and other illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. To tackle this we need a rule-based world order based on international law and international cooperation among relevant countries. As one of the founding members of the United Nations and staunch supporter of multilateralism and global governance based on the UN Charter and international law, we highly value our cooperation with the UN and UNODC to fight transnational crimes in the fishery sector,” said Ms. Mette Moglestue, Deputy Head of Mission, Norwegian Embassy in Hanoi.
Crimes in the fisheries sector, which cover a broad range of illegal activities that may occur at one or more stages of the value chain, are different from illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing offences, although they are often related and may take place at the same time. These crimes may include fraud, forgery, tax evasion, corruption and money laundering, and while they may or may not be directly linked to the actual fishing operations, they frequently meet the criteria for the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime or the UN Convention against Corruption to apply.
It takes a FishNET to defeat a criminal network, and the range of experts engaged to ensure a holistic approach is broad. In Viet Nam, officials from UNODC-supported Port Control Units, the Fisheries Department, Environment Police, the General Department of Viet Nam Customs, the CITES Management Authority, the Institute for Ecology and Biological Resources, as well as the private sector and civil society, spent three days exchanging information and sharing challenges in their work to address crimes in the fisheries sector. In addition to improving their understanding about how addressing these crimes can play a role in improving fisheries management, the participants also learned how to identify key marine species including sharks and sea cucumber, how forensics can help strengthen cases for prosecution, and visited the VICT port to understand the customs process for fisheries products.
“Customs plays a key role in detecting crimes, and we realized we need to strengthen our efforts to address CITES species trafficking. Our efforts in the fisheries sector have had some successes, but there are challenges to overcome. I am glad this workshop enabled us to work together to identify solutions and ways forward,” said Mr. Vuong Tuan Nam, HCM Port Control Unit.
“Strengthening coordination between functional forces is essential to exchange experiences and achieving a common consensus on the views of law enforcement agencies in preventing and combating violations in the fisheries sector and aquaculture resources protection. Mutual support, exchange, and learning from each other’s experiences are necessary for related law enforcement agencies in the fishery sector,” remarked Mr. Tong Duc Co, Fishery Surveillance Department.
Following the workshop, the participants recommended next steps including sharing an updated value chain analysis, and additional workshops that would bring together additional law enforcement personnel tasked with enforcing fisheries legislation.
Through the FishNET II project, UNODC will continue to support Viet Nam and other countries around the globe in their efforts to counter crimes in the fisheries sector.
