eCDT - the solution to the IUU "yellow card" problem.

Amidst Vietnam's efforts to address the European Commission's (EC) recommendations regarding regulations on combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, technology is becoming a key factor. From fishermen's smartphones to eCDT electronic traceability systems at fishing ports, digital data is helping to transparentize the fishing chain – a sustainable solution to the challenges of origin control and integration into international markets.

When fishermen master digital technology

At Lach Hoi fishing port ( Thanh Hoa province ), the inspection and control of fishing vessels has become more convenient thanks to the application of technology and digital transformation through the electronic traceability system (eCDT). Fishermen are guided to install and use electronic fishing logbooks to replace the handwritten logbooks used previously. This also helps management agencies monitor and supervise fishing vessels operating in the correct areas and in accordance with the law, preventing illegal fishing.

Mr. Pham Gia Thuong's fishing boat (Sam Son ward, Thanh Hoa province), measuring 19.5m in length, is required to keep a fishing logbook. Two months ago, he received training from the Lach Hoi Fishing Port Management Board on how to keep an electronic logbook and install the "Electronic Seafood Traceability System" software on his phone.

“Electronic logbooking has many advantages over traditional logbooks. Simply logging in on your phone allows the system to automatically update information about coordinates, vessel location, fish species, and catch quantities after reporting catch volumes… When docking, instead of submitting paper fishing logbooks, you can simply open the software on your smartphone and submit all the information about fishing location and catch volume, saving a considerable amount of time,” shared Mr. Pham Gia Thuong.

Using the eCDT VN software helps fishermen quickly, conveniently, and accurately fulfill requests for port entry and exit, and declare catch yields; it also reduces errors in recording in fishing logs.

Mr. Le Van Han, in charge of Lach Hoi Fishing Port (Thanh Hoa Fishing Port Management Board), said that at the port, all registration and verification procedures for entry and exit of people and vehicles are currently carried out on software, making it very convenient and efficient. In the future, the port will continue to promote and guide fishermen to use electronic logbooks to improve the efficiency of management, monitoring and supervision of catch, ensuring traceability according to regulations, and meeting the EC's recommendations on combating IUU fishing.

Along with Thanh Hoa, at Lach Quen fishing port (Quynh Luu commune, Nghe An province ), the atmosphere is bustling throughout the seafood unloading area. While crew members bring the fish ashore after a long fishing trip, Mr. To Huy Hung, owner of the vessel NA 92888 TS, is intently using his phone to declare port entry and exit, catch volume, and the ship's return route via the eCDT software.

He recounted, "Initially, I was very confused, not knowing how to access the app or what fields to fill out. But after a few times being guided by port officials, I'm now familiar with it. Electronic declaration saves time."

It's not just Mr. Hung; more and more fishermen in Nghe An are gradually accessing and mastering the eCDT software. From the habit of handwriting logs, catch figures, and port procedures, they are gradually shifting to digitized operations on their smartphones. This change not only helps fishermen be more proactive but also creates a unified data platform to serve the management, traceability, and certification of seafood products according to international requirements.

Contributing to the removal of the "yellow card"

One of the key objectives of implementing the eCDT system is to support the process of removing the IUU "yellow card" that the EC has applied to Vietnamese seafood for many years. The EC requires countries exporting seafood to Europe to demonstrate clear origin, that they are not engaging in illegal, unreported, or unregulated fishing.

Therefore, the application of eCDT software helps create a transparent data chain for verifying production volume and issuing certificates of origin to purchasing businesses. This speeds up the processing time, reducing pressure on both management agencies and the public. This is a crucial condition for Vietnamese seafood to reach international markets at more competitive prices.

Locals unload seafood at Lach Quen Fishing Port.

According to Mr. Phan Tien Chuong, Director of the Nghe An Fisheries Port Management Board, to ensure that traceability is implemented synchronously and effectively, the unit has organized many training courses and provided direct guidance to fishermen, ship owners, and businesses on the process of using the eCDT software. The training content includes declaring fishing vessel entry and exit from ports, updating catch volumes, creating fishing logs, and creating dossiers to request confirmation of catch volumes and certification of seafood origin.

“From the beginning of 2024 until now, we have issued more than 800 software accounts to fishing vessels in the area. At designated fishing ports, most fishermen have adopted electronic declaration methods. This is a major step forward, affirming the province's determination to digitally transform the fisheries sector,” Mr. Chuong affirmed.

With the eCDT software, fishermen can proactively and transparently declare their fishing trips and catch volumes quickly. Management units such as the Fisheries Sub-Department, the Border Guard Command, and the Management Boards of fishing ports and storm shelter areas can update data in real time, easily monitor fishing vessels, and detect any unusual signs in fishing operations.

"Previously, each time we requested production confirmation, it took half a day of handwritten paperwork and waiting for officials to verify the information. Now, with just a few clicks on the software, the data is readily available. Certification for businesses is also convenient and fast," Mr. Chuong added.

Despite the promising initial results, the implementation of eCDT still faces many challenges. First and foremost is the human factor – the majority of fishermen are unfamiliar with digital technology and have limited skills in using the equipment. Furthermore, many use older smartphones that lack the necessary specifications to install applications, or frequently malfunction due to humid working conditions and seawater corrosion.

Furthermore, when vessels operate in offshore areas, weak or no internet signal leads to interrupted data updates. Meanwhile, the eCDT software requires fairly frequent data reporting; failure to do so on schedule can affect the confirmation of catch after each voyage.

However, in practice, eCDT software is not just a temporary solution to lift the "yellow card," but also a foundation for modernizing the fisheries industry. When the entire process from exploitation to consumption is digitized, Vietnam will have a transparent value chain, enhancing the reputation and value of seafood products in the international market.

Source: https://thoidai.com.vn/ecdt-loi-giai-cho-bai-toan-the-vang-iuu-217305.html