To combat IUU fishing, fishermen accept the increased cost of installing VMS (Vehicle Monitoring System).

(Baohatinh.vn) - Fishermen in Ha Tinh province have proactively installed and used two VMS devices on their fishing boats to ensure uninterrupted signal transmission while at sea, contributing to the prevention of IUU (Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated) fishing.

To prepare for an offshore fishing trip, fisherman Tran Manh Phuong - owner of the vessel HT-90470-TS (Hai Ninh ward) - checks the operation of the two vessel tracking devices (VMS) installed on the ship.

Previously, the boat only used one device, but due to frequent signal interruptions during fishing trips, Mr. Phuong decided to invest in a new set of equipment to operate in parallel. Mr. Phuong shared: "If one device loses connection, the other will still transmit a stable signal. The purchase and subscription costs have increased, but in return, I feel more secure when fishing in offshore areas."

Many fishermen in Ha Tinh have installed two VMS devices on their fishing boats.

Similarly, Mr. Duong Van Cuong, owner of the fishing vessel HT-90403-TS (Cam Trung commune), also spent over 20 million VND to install an additional VMS (Vehicle Monitoring System). Mr. Cuong said: “The old VMS equipment, installed more than 5 years ago, frequently lost connection, making each fishing trip risky. When the signal is lost for too long, according to regulations, the fishing vessel may be suspected of crossing the maritime boundary and must explain itself to the authorities. Installing the new equipment makes the signal much more stable, reducing worries about signal interruptions.”

It's not just Mr. Phuong or Mr. Cuong; recently, many fishermen in Ha Tinh have proactively installed two VMS systems on each fishing vessel. According to the fishermen, this solution increases investment costs and recurring subscription fees, but in return, it gives them more peace of mind when staying at sea for extended periods, reduces the risk of losing connectivity, and avoids situations where they might be mistaken for violating foreign waters.

Two VMS devices were installed in different locations to enhance signal reception during offshore operations.

Ha Tinh currently has 3,938 fishing vessels, of which 70 are 15 meters or longer – a group required to be equipped with and maintain a VMS (Vehicle Monitoring System) according to the 2017 Fisheries Law. VMS equipment plays a particularly important role, helping authorities monitor the location of fishing vessels in real time, issuing warnings when vessels are at risk of crossing the permitted maritime boundaries, and supporting emergency response in case of incidents at sea. This is also one of the key requirements to meet the recommendations of the European Commission (EC) on combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, aiming to lift the "yellow card" for Vietnamese fisheries.

Thanks to continuous dissemination of information and guidance from relevant authorities, most fishermen in Ha Tinh province have now clearly understood the role of VMS (Vehicle Monitoring System) in ensuring safety and legal compliance in fishing operations. However, in reality, there are still instances of VMS disconnection during fishing. The main causes stem from both objective and subjective factors. In distant waters, satellite signals are easily weakened or interrupted due to bad weather, thick clouds, and large waves. In addition, many VMS systems installed 4-6 years ago have deteriorated, reducing their signal reception capabilities. Unstable power supply on fishing vessels when the engine is running also causes the equipment to shut down or transmit inaccurate data. These incidents not only create difficulties for fishermen when they have to return to shore to explain the situation, but also reduce the effectiveness of management by authorities in monitoring and preventing IUU (Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated) fishing.

All information and fishing vessel schedules are captured through the VMS system, transmitting signals to provincial and central management agencies.

Faced with this situation, many boat owners in Ha Tinh have proactively invested in installing two VMS devices simultaneously. This approach creates a backup mechanism; if one device fails or loses signal, the other maintains the connection, ensuring continuous and accurate data transmission to the system. According to statistics from the Ha Tinh Fisheries Department, to date, 20 out of 70 fishing vessels in the province have installed two VMS devices at the same time.

Mr. Nguyen Trong Nhat, Deputy Head of the Ha Tinh Fisheries Sub-Department (Department of Agriculture and Environment), said: “The proactive installation of VMS devices on fishing vessels by fishermen is a positive sign, demonstrating a significant improvement in awareness and compliance with the law. This is a practical solution to support state management agencies in monitoring and tracking fishing vessel movements, detecting early risks of crossing boundaries, and coordinating rescue efforts when necessary. At the same time, this contributes significantly to the province's and the country's overall efforts to prevent illegal fishing, aiming to soon lift the EC's "yellow card" against Vietnam's fisheries sector.”

Ha Tinh province is paying close attention to raising awareness about combating IUU (Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated) fishing.

"The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment has also sent a document requesting the province to continue considering and issuing additional policies to support fishermen in replacing VMS for fishing vessels that meet the conditions stipulated in Decree No. 37/2024/ND-CP amending and supplementing a number of articles of Decree No. 26/2019/ND-CP dated March 8, 2019 of the Government detailing a number of articles and measures for implementing the Law on Fisheries," Mr. Nhat added.

However, installing two devices means fishermen have to bear a significant additional cost. Each new VMS device costs between 15 and 25 million VND, plus a monthly subscription fee. Therefore, many fishermen in Ha Tinh hope that the management agency will soon finalize and implement a policy to partially subsidize the cost and upgrade the service quality to ensure stable signals and minimize interruptions.

Furthermore, organizing training and providing guidance on regular maintenance should be widely implemented to help fishermen proactively address problems. Telecommunications companies should continue to invest in upgrading satellite infrastructure, increasing coverage in distant fishing grounds, and improving technology to ensure VMS operates more stably in harsh weather conditions, thereby reducing risks for fishermen.

Source: https://baohatinh.vn/chong-khai-thac-iuu-ngu-dan-chap-nhan-doi-chi-phi-lap-vms-post292300.html