He noted that fishing is a traditional trade in the East Sea which benefits hundreds of millions of people living along coastal areas. Coastal countries need to create conditions for their fishermen to fish in a safe and sustainable manner.
However, over the past year, there have been a number of chases, arrests and even the use of weapons against fishermen operating in the traditional fishing grounds.
While a comprehensive solution to marine sovereign and boundary disputes is yet to be introduced, coastal countries should strictly adhere to the UNCLOS, Trung stressed.
He said UNCLOS member countries need to enter into negotiations to come up with acceptable solutions for fishing activity, so as to ensure fishermen’s safety, fully exploit marine resources and protect the marine ecological environment.
All unilateral actions, such as promulgation of fishing bans and coercive execution of national law in disputed areas, only complicate the situation and go against purposes and principles of the UNCLOS, he said.
He introduced the 2013 Vietnam Sea Law to the conference and affirmed that all provisions of the law are entirely consistent with the 1982 UNCLOS provisions.
At the conference, UNCLOS member countries reviewed the operational mechanism of its bodies, including the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea, Seabed Disputes Chamber, and The Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf.
They also exchanged views on issues that have arisen during the implementation of the convention.
