US to provide $12.5M to support Vietnam in combating IUU fishing

The package, made possible by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), includes support for Vietnamese maritime law enforcement agencies, including DFIRES, the Ministry of Public Security, and General Department of Vietnam Customs, via the donation of small boats, capacity building, and the development of realistic maritime law enforcement training facilities. 

Vietnam's Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Phung Duc Tien said at the announcement ceremony in Phu Quoc Island that he appreciated the U.S. support and the attention that the U.S. Ambassador pays to Vietnam's fisheries industry through programmes, projects, and technical assistance in the field of aquatic resources conservation, especially support for capacity building for Vietnam fisheries surveillance forces and anti-IUU fishing efforts.

He emphasized that this support package will help add important resources to Vietnam's fisheries surveillance and maritime law enforcement forces to continue effectively implementing their tasks, especially combating IUU fishing, he said.

During his visit to Phu Quoc, Ambassador Knapper also observed maritime boarding scenarios performed by Vietnamese fisheries enforcement and customs officers, including many women officers, as part of an ongoing series of capacity building activities supported by the U.S. Mission to Vietnam, through INL, to promote the meaningful participation of women in maritime law enforcement.