Gia Lai deploys measures to promote prevention of IUU fishing

Working scene

Reporting at the meeting, the Department of Agriculture and Environment said that, implementing the Directive of the Secretariat, the Resolution of the Government and the directions of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee and the leaders of the Provincial People's Committee, in the past time, Gia Lai province has synchronously and drastically deployed urgent solutions to improve the effectiveness of the fight against IUU fishing and sustainable development of the local fisheries sector.

In particular, the management of fishing vessels is carried out more regularly and strictly. As of August 25, 2025, all 5,827 fishing vessels with a length of 6 meters or more have been registered and fully updated to the National Fisheries Database (VNFishbase); 100% of fishing vessels have been reviewed and updated with information data (vessel owner, CCCD number, phone number, contact address linked to the VNeID population database); 986 "3 no" fishing vessels have completed registration according to the instructions of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment , only 09 vessels have not been registered due to not meeting inspection conditions.

The work of monitoring, controlling and preventing fishing vessels from illegally exploiting seafood continues to be strengthened. There have been 3,151 fishing vessels with a length of 15 meters or more (reaching a rate of 99.03%) and 193/209 fishing vessels with a length of 12 meters to less than 15 meters operating in the squid fishing (squid fishing) sector in the southern provinces mobilized and supported to install voyage monitoring equipment (VMS). To manage, exploit and use information from the voyage monitoring system, the province has issued many directive documents; implemented the decentralization of the use of the fishing vessel monitoring system to monitor, supervise and coordinate the handling of violations according to regulations; Direct and assign 24/7 Coastal Communication Stations to receive, monitor, detect and promptly handle cases of fishing vessels exceeding permitted boundaries, failing to maintain operations or intentionally disabling voyage monitoring equipment during operations at sea.

Along with that, the work of tracing the origin of aquatic products is carried out seriously, ensuring the correct procedures; no certified shipments are returned. The authorities have increased patrols, control and strictly handled fishing vessels violating illegal fishing in foreign waters, fishing vessels violating VMS connection loss, and exceeding the permitted fishing boundaries at sea.

Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Pham Anh Tuan delivered a concluding speech at the meeting.

Concluding the meeting, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Pham Anh Tuan emphasized: Removing the IUU yellow card is a national and ethnic issue, related to the country's honor. Therefore, the entire political system must join in and closely coordinate in carrying out the task of combating IUU fishing.

Chairman Pham Anh Tuan requested relevant agencies and units to thoroughly handle existing shortcomings and limitations in the fight against IUU fishing, to be completed by September 15, 2025 at the latest; focusing on implementing the following key tasks:

The Department of Agriculture and Environment shall preside over and coordinate with relevant agencies and the People's Committees of coastal communes and wards to conduct a general inspection and review of the entire number of fishing vessels to grasp the current status of fishing vessels for screening and classification to ensure monitoring and supervision of all activities of the fleet. Require fishing vessel owners to carry out procedures for renewing fishing vessel registration; renewing fishing licenses and installing VMS equipment on new fishing vessels to participate in fishing activities. In case of damaged fishing vessels, dismantled, bought and sold to other places, or fishing vessels no longer in the locality, it is necessary to instruct the vessel owners to deregister the fishing vessels according to regulations; send a list of fishing vessels that are not qualified for fishing to sectors and localities outside the province for coordination in management.

Resolutely do not allow vessels with expired fishing licenses, expired registration, or those that have not installed or transferred VMS equipment to participate in fishing activities; consider implementing management measures such as: directing and assigning local authorities to manage and closely monitor the anchorage locations of each vessel, posting lists in the community, sealing and locking fishing vessels, arranging concentrated anchorage, not leaving fishing gear and equipment on board, etc. Mobilize fishing vessels that do not meet operating conditions to discharge their fishing gear and have policies to support people, creating livelihoods for people in the direction of increasing aquaculture and processing, and reducing natural fishing.

The authorities control 100% of fishing vessels entering and leaving, especially fishing vessels anchored at the seashores in the province, not allowing fishing vessels to leave port without installing VMS; strictly handle violations and be responsible before the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee if fishing vessels without VMS are allowed to participate in fishing activities. Closely monitor and supervise fishing vessels operating at sea, ensure compliance with regulations on turning on VMS devices when participating in seafood exploitation; handle 100% of fishing vessels that are warned to exceed permitted boundaries at sea, fishing vessels that lose connection during operations at sea when the vessel docks.

Closely monitor the output of exploited aquatic products unloaded through the port; ensure 100% of fishing vessels dock at designated ports, monitor 100% of exploited aquatic products. Along with that, strictly comply with regulations on confirmation, certification, and traceability.

Implement strong and resolute measures to prevent the province's fishing vessels from illegally exploiting seafood in foreign waters; attach responsibility to the heads of Party committees, authorities at all levels and functional forces with the implementation results.

Organize propaganda and dissemination of fisheries laws, especially regulations against IUU fishing, to communes, wards, coastal fishermen and relevant organizations and individuals.

Localities direct law enforcement forces, relevant agencies and units to launch peak periods of patrolling, inspecting, controlling and sanctioning administrative violations in the fisheries sector, focusing on strictly and thoroughly handling cases of illegal fishing in foreign waters, violations of VMS regulations..., ensuring an increase in the number of verified and handled cases.

Source: https://gialai.gov.vn/tin-tuc/hoat-dong-cua-lanh-dao/gia-lai-trien-khai-cac-bien-phap-thuc-day-phong-chong-khai-thac-iuu.html