Anti-IUU, join hands to remove the "yellow card"

The European Commission (EC) has tightened the “yellow card” warning, making it difficult for seafood exports to be exported. The determination of the authorities and fishermen is not only to lift the warning but also to protect the fishing industry and maintain a long-term economy at sea.

Fishing boats anchored on Cai Be River. Photo: THANH DU

According to the Head of the Provincial Fisheries and Fisheries Control Department, Nguyen Van Tam, identifying the importance of combating IUU fishing, over the past time, the entire political system in the province has focused on leading, directing and implementing solutions to combat IUU fishing. Up to now, the whole province has 9,882 registered fishing vessels; 100% of fishing vessels have marked according to regulations and fully updated information into the national fisheries database VNFishbase and the national population database VNeID. 100% of fishing vessels have installed voyage monitoring devices.

The province is focusing on implementing many urgent key tasks and solutions to overcome the shortcomings and limitations according to the EC's recommendations, preventing fishing vessels from violating foreign waters. Director of the Provincial Fishing Port Management Board Ngo Van Lam said: "At Tac Cau fishing port, every day there are 10-15 fishing vessels loading and unloading aquatic products through the port. To control the output of aquatic products through the port, the Provincial Fishing Port Management Board arranges officials and employees to monitor 100% of the output of aquatic products loaded and unloaded through the port in accordance with regulations; organizes the inspection of paperwork for 100% of fishing vessels arriving and leaving the port in accordance with regulations".

Staff of the Provincial Fishing Port Management Board monitor seafood output at Tac Cau fishing port. Photo: THUY TRANG

At the department that monitors the fishing vessel monitoring system (VMS), there are 2-4 employees on duty every day to monitor the signals on the computer. When detecting a fishing vessel losing its signal, the employees will immediately call the ship owners to notify and request to check and reopen the VMS signal. At the same time, the provincial Department of Fisheries - Fisheries Surveillance will make a list of high-risk violators (ship owners, fishermen who have violated, frequently lost VMS connection; brokers who bring fishing vessels and fishermen to operate illegally abroad...) and send it to the agencies, units, and functional forces to monitor, supervise, promptly detect and prevent fishing vessels intending to violate foreign waters.

From the beginning of 2025 to now, the Provincial Fisheries - Fisheries Surveillance Department has made 114 calls to notify fishing vessels of crossing the maritime boundary, propagandizing and requesting to bring fishing vessels back to Vietnamese waters; issued 12 documents warning vessels of crossing the boundary; made 2,370 calls to fishing vessels that lost connection at sea. Compared to the same period in 2024, the number of vessels that lost connection and crossed the maritime boundary has decreased significantly. In addition, the department has coordinated with communes, wards and special zones to gather fishing vessels that are not qualified to operate at anchorage areas, apply management measures, and post the list at hamlet and residential area headquarters. The functional forces have investigated and verified 7 cases, 9 fishing vessels violating foreign waters were arrested; 23 cases of violating VMS equipment and 204 cases of other violations were punished. The functional agencies have prosecuted 30 cases related to IUU fishing.

At Tac Cau fishing port, the Fishing Port Management Board regularly propagates the level of penalties for IUU fishing, regulations in the Fisheries Law, the province's appeal letter on not violating foreign waters... using loudspeaker systems arranged in many places at the port. The Department of Agriculture and Environment coordinates with departments, branches, and localities to organize meetings and dialogues with fishermen and ship owners, listening to fishermen's opinions and recommendations. At the same time, it combines propaganda of the State's guidelines, policies, and laws, mobilizing fishermen to sign a commitment not to violate foreign waters. The number of violations of regulations against IUU fishing has decreased compared to before.

Fisheries control force patrolling at sea. Photo: THUY TRANG

It is expected that in October 2025, the EC inspection team will come to Vietnam to inspect the actual work against IUU fishing. This is an opportunity for Vietnam to demonstrate its commitments and efforts in implementing solutions to combat IUU fishing, completing the goal of removing the "yellow card" in 2025.

Mr. Nguyen Thanh Nhan - owner of a seafood purchasing boat at Tac Cau fishing port, Binh An commune said: "I am aware that violating regulations on combating IUU fishing will be severely punished. Most boat owners strictly comply with regulations on import and export, all fishing boats are equipped with journey monitoring devices, and record and submit fishing logs. The majority of fishermen are unanimous, supportive, and join hands with all levels and sectors to remove the EC "yellow card".

THUY TRANG

Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/chong-iuu-chung-suc-go-the-vang--a462049.html