The program "Coast Guard accompanies fishermen" has become a bridge between law enforcement forces at sea and the fishing community, contributing to building a solid national defense posture at sea.
In order to raise legal awareness among fishermen and join hands to protect the sovereignty of the sea and islands, recently, the Command of Coast Guard Region 3 coordinated with the Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Department of Ba Ria - Vung Tau province to organize a series of programs "Coast Guard accompanies fishermen" in Ba Ria - Vung Tau province. The program's activities attracted the participation of a large number of fishermen, had practical significance, and contributed to the whole country's removal of the "IUU yellow card".
Propaganda combined with livelihood support
Most recently, two programs were held in Bung Rieng Commune, Xuyen Moc District (May 17) and Phuoc Tinh Commune, Long Dien District (May 23). Reporters from the Coast Guard Region 3 Command disseminated the current situation of maritime security, while focusing on disseminating the Fisheries Law and regulations related to combating illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. Many specific violations in the locality were also analyzed, helping fishermen understand and avoid re-offending.
The highlight of the program is organizing for ship owners and captains to sign a commitment not to violate IUU fishing with practical contents such as: carrying full fishing vessel documents and crew certificates when going to sea; recording and submitting full reports, fishing logs and seafood purchasing; maintaining 24/7 operation of the journey monitoring equipment; not arbitrarily removing monitoring equipment; not taking fishing vessels to foreign waters to illegally exploit or using means that destroy the marine environment such as explosives, electric shocks... These commitments not only demonstrate the responsibility of fishermen but are also an important part of the roadmap to overcome the "IUU yellow card" imposed by the European Commission (EC) on the Vietnamese seafood industry.
Along with propaganda activities, the Coast Guard regularly coordinates with local authorities to organize direct dialogues with fishermen, specifically answering questions related to fisheries laws, providing guidance on logging procedures, operating voyage monitoring equipment, and identifying violations that should be avoided. Thereby, gradually forming a sense of proactive compliance with the law in the fishing community, especially in key coastal localities.
In addition, the Coast Guard Region 3 Command also organized many activities to support livelihoods and give gifts to families with meritorious services, poor fishermen and poor but studious students in island communes and coastal districts. Although the gifts are not of great value, they are a source of spiritual encouragement, demonstrating the care and sharing of the armed forces for those who always stick to the sea and guard the frontier at the forefront.
Authorities distribute leaflets to promote the law to fishermen.
Connecting the fishing community
Mr. Nguyen Van Hau, a fishing boat owner in Phuoc Tinh commune, said that fishermen previously did not fully understand the regulations on combating IUU fishing, especially common mistakes such as not keeping a fishing log or not turning on the journey monitoring device. Through the Coast Guard’s propaganda sessions, fishermen have come to understand that this not only helps them avoid being fined but also protects their own rights.
According to Mr. Hau, the program demonstrates the armed forces' close concern for fishermen, helping them to comply with the law and regulations on fishing at sea.
The program's practice shows that the coordination between the Coast Guard and the civil service and local authorities has contributed to uniting the fishing community and raising the ship owners' awareness of voluntarily complying with the law.
Colonel Le Van Tu, Political Commissar of the Coast Guard Region 3 Command, said that through the program's series of activities, the coast guard officers and soldiers hope to support fishermen not only in terms of legal awareness but also in terms of material and spiritual matters, helping them to stay at sea with confidence.
According to Colonel Le Van Tu, in the context of Vietnam's efforts to overcome the "IUU yellow card", raising awareness among fishermen is one of the key tasks. Only when each fisherman understands correctly, does the right thing and is responsible in each trip to sea can there be a real and sustainable change. "The Coast Guard is not only a law enforcement force but also a companion of fishermen on their journey to the sea, protecting the sacred sovereignty of the Fatherland" - Colonel Le Van Tu affirmed.
In the coming time, the Coast Guard Region 3 Command will continue to expand the scope of the program, bringing activities to disseminate laws, protect the environment, and support social security to many coastal localities. At the same time, the unit will also strengthen coordination with competent authorities in monitoring, detecting, and strictly handling IUU violations, contributing to the country's commitment to developing a sustainable and responsible fisheries industry.
The program has become a bridge between the maritime law enforcement force and the fishing community, contributing to building a solid national defense posture at sea, gradually bringing Vietnam's fisheries exploitation activities into order, modernity, integration and sustainable development.
Fishermen of Ba Ria - Vung Tau province signed a commitment not to violate IUU fishing
On the occasion of the program "Coast Guard accompanies fishermen" held in Bung Rieng commune and Phuoc Tinh commune, the Command of Coast Guard Region 3 presented a total of 90 gifts including national flags, life jackets, flashlights, necessities and cash to policy families and fishermen in difficult circumstances.
Source: https://nld.com.vn/dong-hanh-voi-ngu-dan-bam-bien-196250531205343138.htm
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