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Viet Nam Customs strengthens cooperation with law enforcement agencies of Tanzania and Namibia in controlling illegal fishing activities and trade in CITES-listed Aquatic Species

Viet Nam Customs hosted and worked with delegations from the Customs and Fisheries authorities of Tanzania and Namibia to exchange and share experiences in combating fisheries-related crimes. The activity was conducted within the framework of the “FishNET-II: Fisheries Crime Prevention Project” (2023–2026) of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), funded by the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation. The project supports several African countries and Vietnam in strengthening the capacity of law enforcement officers in combating and preventing fisheries-related crimes, while promoting information-sharing networks and inter-agency as well as inter-regional cooperation.

At the headquarters of the Customs Department, the parties shared information on the organizational models of specialized fisheries crime control units, operational mechanisms, policies, and legal frameworks in each country, as well as import-export activities, customs control tools and measures, and updates on the current situation, trends, methods, and modus operandi of criminals, including notable seizure cases in participating countries. The discussions also focused on proposals and recommendations to enhance the effectiveness of information exchange and sharing among law enforcement agencies, thereby contributing to the prevention of violations involving origin and destination countries among the three participating nations. These efforts are aimed at effectively preventing illegal fishing activities that deplete aquatic resources, negatively impact the livelihoods of legitimate fishermen, and, importantly, help avoid the imposition of “yellow cards” or “red cards” by markets such as the European Union on seafood exports.

In line with Vietnam’s objective of having the EU “yellow card” lifted in order to promote sustainable and responsible fisheries development in compliance with international standards, cooperation with relevant law enforcement agencies of African countries will contribute significantly to improving the control of seafood origin and traceability.

To further exchange and gain deeper insights into practical enforcement activities in this field, Regional Customs Branch II hosted the working delegation. Speaking at the meeting, Mr. Dang Cong Thanh – Deputy Director of Customs Sub-Department Region III – warmly welcomed the customs representatives and colleagues from distant African countries for sharing their experiences with the unit. He affirmed that, for the common goal, Customs Sub-Department Region III is committed to strengthening mutual support, building sustainable cooperative relations, and coordinating with partner countries in operational information exchange in order to enhance the effectiveness of preventing and combating crimes, thereby contributing to social security and public health protection.

The two sides also exchanged additional information regarding local operational models, practical experiences in law enforcement, customs inspection and control activities concerning goods in general, and the handling of specific cases related to the import and export of seafood products and CITES-listed aquatic species.

The delegation also visited and surveyed operations at Dinh Vu Port, one of the key container ports in northern Vietnam, strategically located at the mouth of the Bach Dang River. With the capacity to accommodate vessels of up to 48,000 DWT, the port provides modern container handling services. The delegation highly appreciated the facilities and equipment at the port and had the opportunity to exchange professional practices and operational procedures with customs officers working at the seaport border gate.

Vân Anh