Changes in combating IUU fishing

It is expected that in November 2024, the European Commission (EC) will visit Vietnam for the fifth inspection to address the recommendations made, and at the same time consider and remove the IUU “yellow card” warning for the Vietnamese seafood industry. Together with the efforts of relevant ministries, sectors, agencies and coastal localities across the country, Thanh Hoa province has resolutely and effectively implemented solutions, bringing about remarkable changes.

Officers and soldiers of Hoang Truong Border Guard Station disseminate information about the Fisheries Law and regulations against IUU fishing to local fishermen.

With the goal of building a sustainable, responsible fishery that complies with international law and joins the whole country in removing the EC's "yellow card", Thanh Hoa province has directed departments, branches, localities and units to step up propaganda work and raise awareness for the fishing community to comply. Currently, Thanh Hoa province has 6,683 ships and boats, of which 1,112 are fishing boats with a length of 15m or more. To overcome the situation of "3 no" fishing boats (no registration, no inspection, no license), Thanh Hoa Fisheries Department and Thanh Hoa Fishing Port Management Board have assigned officers in charge to each household and each boat owner to guide them in carrying out paperwork procedures according to regulations. At the same time, coordinate with border guards and waterway traffic police to increase patrols and control of seafood exploitation activities at sea, inlets, flats, and fishing ports to both propagate the fight against IUU fishing and handle and detect violations.

Accordingly, at the meeting on October 15, the Provincial Steering Committee for Combating IUU Fishing said that localities such as Hoang Hoa, Sam Son City, Nghi Son Town, etc. have promoted and supported 74 "2 no" and "3 no" fishing vessels to register and inspect. The cumulative number of registered fishing vessels has increased to 2,774/3,171 vessels, reaching a rate of 87.5%. At the same time, 156 vessels that lost their journey monitoring (GSHT) connection (according to statistics on October 1) have had their connection restored by their owners, promptly receiving warnings when approaching waters where fishing is not allowed. Along with that, connecting, promoting and mobilizing new ship owners and vessels that have not installed GSHT equipment to continue installing it to ensure regulations when operating; increasing the rate of vessels installed with journey monitoring equipment to 99.5% and 100% of fishing vessels marked according to regulations...

Thanks to the propaganda work, the fishing community in the localities has signed a commitment to strictly comply with regulations when fishing. Up to now, in the province, there are no more cases of fishing vessels violating foreign waters, most fishermen strictly comply with the provisions of the Fisheries Law. Mr. Nguyen Huu Ha, a fisherman in Hoang Truong commune (Hoang Hoa), owner of the TH-90387 fishing boat operating in the Gulf of Tonkin, said: “Previously, when people went to sea, there were times when they used destructive fishing methods. After being propagated and instructed by the border guards, fishermen better understood the regulations when fishing at sea. Since then, people have changed their fishing methods when going to sea. At the same time, they are exploiting in the right areas, and the process of connecting and monitoring the journey throughout the exploitation process.”

Not only fishermen in Hoang Hoa district, but also with the propaganda and close supervision of the authorities, the awareness of each fisherman in the province has clearly changed, contributing to the whole country's fight against IUU fishing and soon removing the EC's "yellow card".

To maintain this initial achievement, activities to remove the "yellow card" continue to be implemented synchronously by localities. Colonel Do Ngoc Vinh, Commander of the Provincial Border Guard Command, said: The provincial border guard force has been controlling all types of vessels, focusing on patrolling and closely monitoring offshore fishing vessels; propagating to fishermen to raise awareness in protecting the marine environment, voluntarily complying with regulations in fishing and exploiting seafood. At the same time, creating conditions for fishermen to complete procedures and documents to ensure correct and sufficient procedures when going offshore to exploit according to regulations. At the same time, propagating and educating captains and crew members to raise awareness of law compliance in exploiting aquatic and seafood products.

According to the provincial steering committee for combating IUU fishing, in order to prepare well for working conditions with the EC and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, from now until November, the provincial steering committee will continue to maintain meetings every 10 days to grasp the results, difficulties and obstacles. Along with that, departments, branches and localities need to strengthen the leadership and direction of Party committees, Party organizations, authorities, and socio-political organizations in combating IUU fishing; assign responsibility to heads of Party committees and authorities at all levels in performing the task of combating IUU fishing. Strengthen inspection, supervision and monitoring of law enforcement, thoroughly handle violations. For fishing vessels that do not meet the conditions for inspection and licensing, the ship owners are required to bring the vessels to the anchorage or bring them ashore if necessary, and absolutely do not let the vessels go fishing. Thanh Hoa Fishing Port Management Board maintains a 24/7 duty regime, coordinates with the coastal border guards and local authorities to propagate, monitor, and facilitate ships entering and leaving the port, loading and unloading products, and entering and leaving the port at the right place. The initial efforts and achievements of the province will contribute significantly to the whole country in removing the IUU "yellow card" and effectively and sustainably developing the fisheries industry.

Article and photos: Le Hoa

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/chuyen-bien-trong-chong-khai-thac-iuu-228674.htm