At the meeting, the two sides discussed in detail the coordination between the two forces in preventing illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

Senior Colonel Nguyen Trinh Hung, Deputy Director of the Department of Professional Affairs and Law and head of the Vietnamese delegation, emphasized Vietnam’s consistent view on combating IUU fishing, its commitment to sustainable marine economic development while strictly complying with anti-IUU fishing regulations and international agreements, demonstrating its determination to remove the European Commission's (E.C.) "yellow card."

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An overview of the working session

He called on Thai-MECC to enhance coordination and promptly share information on detained Vietnamese fishermen, fishing vessels and legal case records to support Vietnam’s efforts in implementing more effective preventive measures. He also proposed the on-site transfer of seized vessels and urged humane treatment of fishermen if vessels are brought ashore.

The meeting provided an ideal opportunity for both sides to openly and candidly discuss coordination and cooperation in anti-IUU fishing in the shared waters while also strengthening collaboration under the signed Memorandum of Understanding.

Colonel Kitikorn Kanjanawanich fully concurred with contents of the discussion and the plan on sending Vietnamese coast guard officers to work at Thai-MECC. He suggested that Vietnam take the initiative in developing a plan and outlining the duties of the Vietnam liaison officers at Thai-MECC.

On March 25, the Vietnam Coast Guard delegation will continue to have a working session with the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, expressing its determination to combat IUU fishing.

Translated by Khanh Huyen