Ho Chi Minh City, March 9 -- Ho Chi Minh City is intensifying measures to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing as Vietnam prepares for the European Commission's (EC) fifth on-site inspection, part of the country's ongoing effort to have the commission's "yellow card" warning lifted.

The EC inspection delegation arrived in Vietnam on March 9 to assess the country's implementation of recommendations to prevent IUU fishing. Ho Chi Minh City is among the localities selected for inspection, and the visit is expected to play an important role in the EC's consideration of whether to remove the warning.

Recognising the importance of the task, the municipal authorities have strengthened fisheries management, tightened supervi...