Dak Lak: Tighten management of fishing vessels, strictly handle responsibilities of leaders to combat IUU fishing

The People's Committee of Dak Lak province has just issued an official dispatch requesting localities and relevant units to strengthen the implementation of urgent tasks in the prevention and combat of illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, in order to seriously implement the Prime Minister's direction.

According to the report of the functional sector, in the past week, the inspection and supervision of fishing activities in coastal localities of the province has had some positive changes. However, the progress in overcoming the existing problems is still slow, especially the situation of unlicensed fishing vessels remains high. The whole province currently has 670/2,798 unlicensed fishing vessels, accounting for 23.95%, mainly concentrated in coastal wards and communes.

While localities such as Hoa Hiep, Hoa Xuan, Xuan Dai have made efforts to reduce the number of unlicensed vessels, Phu Yen ward is the only locality that has recorded an increase in the number of fishing vessels that are not qualified to operate in the past week. This situation shows that management, inspection, and supervision at the grassroots level are still lacking and showing signs of laxity.

Officers and soldiers of Tuy Hoa Border Guard Station propagate to fishermen in Dong Tac port area about prevention and avoidance of storm No. 12. Photo: Ngoc Lan

The Chairman of the Dak Lak Provincial People's Committee has severely criticized the Chairman of the Phu Yen Ward People's Committee, requested a report on the cause and a commitment to completely fix the situation of unlicensed fishing vessels, to be completed before October 30, 2025. At the same time, the Provincial Chairman requested coastal communes and wards to urgently review the entire fleet, mobilize the political system at the grassroots level to monitor and seal unqualified vessels, and absolutely not let vessels go to sea illegally. The Chairman of the local People's Committee is directly responsible; if serious violations occur, the head will be considered and disciplined without having to go through the criticism or review step.

The Provincial People's Committee assigned the Department of Agriculture and Environment to coordinate with the Department of Home Affairs to advise on handling the responsibilities of the Chairmen of the People's Committees of communes and wards who still allow fishing vessels without licenses to occur, ensuring that the review and discipline are carried out seriously, in accordance with regulations, without delay. At the same time, the Department will preside over and coordinate with the Provincial Police, Border Guard and relevant units to thoroughly handle unregistered and unlicensed fishing vessels before October 30, 2025.

In particular, the Department of Agriculture and Environment is assigned to strengthen control of aquatic product origin at ports, ensure 100% of export documents to the EU are fully checked, and review and propose policies to support fishermen in changing jobs, reducing exploitation pressure, and aiming to develop sustainable livelihoods, to be completed before November 14, 2025.

People of Hoa Hiep ward signed a commitment to join forces to prevent fishing vessels from violating IUU fishing. Photo: Ngoc Lan

The Provincial Border Guard is assigned to strictly control 100% of fishing vessels entering and leaving the port; organize patrols in key areas and coordinate with the agricultural sector to strictly handle vessels violating foreign waters. The Provincial Police is responsible for detecting, investigating and handling IUU violations, directing grassroots forces to strengthen local surveillance, prevent re-offending, and coordinate inspection and handling of vessels that intentionally disconnect the vehicle monitoring system (VMS) or illegally exploit.

In addition, the Department of Home Affairs was assigned to coordinate with the Department of Agriculture and Environment to review records, assess the responsibilities and forms of self-discipline of the Chairmen of the People's Committees of Hoa Xuan, Xuan Dai, and Hoa Hiep communes, advise the Provincial People's Committee to hold a review meeting, and propose appropriate forms of handling according to legal regulations.

To ensure objectivity, the Provincial Inspectorate will preside over and coordinate with departments and branches to conduct surprise inspections of IUU fishing prevention and control work in localities, promptly advise the Provincial People's Committee to strictly handle irresponsible groups and individuals, and complete the report before November 14, 2025.

With strong direction, clear responsibilities and specific timelines, Dak Lak is showing high determination in rectifying fishing vessel management, thoroughly handling violations, aiming to remove the IUU "yellow card", protecting the reputation and interests of Vietnamese seafood in the international market.

Source: https://daibieunhandan.vn/dak-lak-siet-chat-quan-ly-tau-ca-xu-ly-nghiem-trach-nhiem-nguoi-dung-dau-de-chong-khai-thac-iuu-10393192.html