Viet Nam's vision for officially joining the WCPFC

Viet Nam commits to responsible, transparent fishing, perfecting data and enhancing management capacity to gradually prepare for joining the WCPFC.

On the morning of July 28, in Khanh Hoa province, the Department of Fisheries and Surveillance coordinated with the Project Management Unit of the West Pacific East Asia - Sustainable Fisheries Project (WPEA-SPF) to organize the "National Workshop on Enhancing Capacity to Implement CNM Obligations and the Roadmap to Full Membership of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC)".

The workshop, co-chaired by Director of the Department of Fisheries and Surveillance Tran Dinh Luan and WCPFC Executive Director Rhea Moss-Christian, attracted representatives from the WCPFC Secretariat, the Pacific Community (SPC), the New Zealand Ambassador to Viet Nam and numerous representatives of seafood export associations and enterprises.

A fulcrum for sustainable fisheries management

Delivering the opening speech, Mr. Tran Dinh Luan, Director of the Department of Fisheries and Surveillance, emphasized that choosing Khanh Hoa province as the workshop venue held special significance. Khanh Hoa province is a key national locality for exploiting, purchasing, processing and exporting oceanic tuna; it also pioneers in implementing many fisheries management models, data collection, and regulations on combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

According to Mr. Tran Dinh Luan, Khanh Hoa's recent results have significantly contributed to fulfilling Viet Nam's obligations to the WCPFC. "Viet Nam always values the conservation and sustainable use of aquatic resources; strictly implements international obligations; promotes regional and international cooperation based on respect for international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS); and simultaneously develops fisheries in a modern, responsible, transparent, and sustainable direction", Mr. Luan affirmed.

Presenting the integration process, a representative of the Department of Fisheries and Surveillance stated that Viet Nam has participated in the WCPFC as a Cooperating Non-Member (CNM) since 2009. With the support of the WCPFC Secretariat, SPC, and the WPEA Project, Viet Nam has gradually refined its management system, improved data reporting quality, effectively deployed the Vessel Monitoring System (VMS), and promoted solutions to combat IUU fishing.

Preparing for the official accession roadmap

Acknowledging these efforts, WCPFC Executive Director Rhea Moss-Christian highly appreciated Viet Nam's determination in its roadmap to becoming a full member. She affirmed that recently, Viet Nam has achieved very good results in enforcing CNM responsibilities, constantly elevating its position in the international market by proactively improving the legal framework, enhancing regulatory compliance, improving monitoring efficiency, and standardizing data collection processes.

These advancements not only affirm Viet Nam's position as one of the world's leading tuna producing and exporting countries but also serve as a key element to maintain and protect strategic trade relations in stringent markets like the United States and the EU. To create momentum for the next stage, the WCPFC Secretariat affirmed its constant readiness to accompany, guide, and provide information to help Viet Nam fully implement its reporting obligations.

Information from the WCPFC Secretariat further revealed that the organization plays a pivotal role in establishing the overall management framework for shared tuna resources in the Western and Central Pacific region. 2024 data recorded a total tuna catch in the region reaching a record 3.059 million tons (valued at USD 5.6 billion). The entire region is shifting strongly towards automated and ecosystem-based management to ensure supply chain transparency.

Commitment to accompany and strategic steps

Alongside the WCPFC Secretariat's accompaniment, cooperation and support from international partners play a crucial driving role in helping Viet Nam advance faster on the integration path. Viet Nam continues to receive vital technical and scientific support from the Pacific Community (SPC) and the WPEA project, helping effectively utilize financial assistance from the New Zealand Government to enhance survey and data management capacities.

Expressing joy over the strong development of bilateral relations following the 50th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations in 2025 and the elevation to a comprehensive strategic partnership, Ms. Rebecca Wood, Deputy Head of Mission of New Zealand to Viet Nam, emphasized: The fisheries sector and sustainable fisheries management play an extremely important role, not only as a source of budget revenue but also as a livelihood tied to fishing communities. New Zealand is very proud to continue accompanying and supporting the WPEA project as part of its commitment to promoting sustainable development and protecting marine ecosystems in the region.

Assessing the event's significance, the Deputy Ambassador affirmed that the workshop is a practical step helping Viet Nam enhance its capacity to implement IUU anti-fishing obligations, opening a forum for professional exchange and detailed discussion on the roadmap to becoming a full WCPFC member. To achieve that goal, perfecting the governance framework and strictly adhering to data obligations play a vital role.

Quoting a meaningful Māori proverb: "For us all to move forward, we need to work together, because we are all rowing the same boat for our shared prosperity", Ms. Rebecca Wood emphasized that fisheries resources have no borders; only sustainable management and close coordination will help nations share long-term benefits.

Reporting on the results of implementing CNM responsibilities, a representative of the Department of Fisheries and Surveillance said that Viet Nam has strictly implemented seven basic responsibilities, including issuing a legal framework compliant with UNCLOS 1982, operating VMS for fishing vessels 15 meters and above, registering vessels on the VNFishbase database, deploying eCDT and making full annual financial contributions. To overcome limitations in observer data and catch per trip, localities need to focus resources on data collection and link VNFishbase and eCDT with the TUFMAN2 system.

According to Director Tran Dinh Luan, the key task in the coming time is to maintain the quality of the data collection system, ensure resources for obligation fulfillment, and enhance enforcement capacity at both central and local levels. Simultaneously, Viet Nam is comprehensively studying the conditions, benefits, and responsibilities to gradually consider the roadmap for full WCPFC participation.

According to a representative of the WPEA-SPF Project Management Unit, although the journey to becoming a full member faces some challenges regarding data completeness, IUU "yellow card" pressure from the EC, and financial compliance costs, becoming a full member will bring strategic benefits. This will give Viet Nam a voice, equal voting rights, direct participation in tuna catch quota allocation, enhanced reputation for sustainable seafood certification, and restructure the fisheries sector in a modern direction.

Kim So - Phuong Chi