Hanoi-Vietnam: Guidance on assessment and certification of origin of fishery raw materials

Under Circular 02, at least 01 hour before the ship docks, the owner must notify the Fishery Port Management Organization in Vietnam by phone or in writing with information about the ship's identification number, the estimated time of docking, and the expected load to be unloaded at the port.

The Fishery Port Management Organization in Vietnam assigns officers to inspect the ship on-site:

- For fishing vessels: cross-check and supervise the volume and species composition on the ship to ensure it corresponds with the fishing log;

- For fishing logistics service ships: cross-check and supervise the volume and species composition according to the purchasing log, and the fishing log of the ships that are being purchased and transferred.

Additionally, Circular 02 also stipulates that within 01 working day from the time of unloading, the owner must complete the application and submit it to the Fishery Port Management Organization in Vietnam either directly or by post to request the certification of the origin of the fishery raw materials. The file (01 set) includes:

- Two (02) certificates of the origin of fishery raw materials;

- A photocopy of the fishing log (for fishing vessels);

- A photocopy of the purchasing log, and the fishing log of the ships that are being purchased and transferred (for purchasing ships).

Within 02 working days, the Fishery Port Management Organization in Vietnam is responsible for cross-checking the information in the declaration with the list of illegal fishing vessels; the fishing log with information about the ship's activity location provided by shore stations (for ships with a total main engine power of 90 CV or more), signing and returning 01 certificate of the origin of harvested fishery raw materials to the owner, and retaining the file. If the certificate is not signed, the Fishery Port Management Organization in Vietnam must respond in writing and specify the reasons.

The Fishery Port Management Organization in Vietnam provides the results directly or by post to the owner.

The owner must pay the appraisal fee for certification of the origin of harvested fishery raw materials in accordance with the law on fees and charges.

Details may be found in Circular 02/2018/TT-BNNPTNT effective from March 17, 2018.

-Thao Uyen-

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