Gia Lai: Thousands of fishermen unite against IUU fishing

Voluntary compliance with regulations

For many years, Long Thanh and Cuu Loi fishing villages (Hoai Nhon ward) have effectively maintained a model of legal seafood exploitation without violating foreign waters. According to the heads of the fishing villages, from 2019 to now, no fishing boats of the ward have been arrested for IUU violations. Offshore fishing boats are fully equipped with machinery and monitoring equipment before leaving port and strictly declare when arriving at port.

Officers of Cat Khanh Border Guard Station (De Gi commune) visited fishermen's homes to encourage them to prevent illegal fishing. **Photo: NN**

Mr. Tran Chien, head of Cuu Loi fishing village, said: "We regularly coordinate with the government, Border Guard and fisheries officers to organize regular meetings, disseminate policies and remind fishermen to comply with the law. Preserving fishing means preserving the sea for our descendants. To do so, each fisherman must be self-aware, each fishing village must be proactive and united to be able to do it."

Not only do they supervise, the village leaders also get close to and share with the fishermen, listening to their opinions to help them overcome difficulties. This creates cohesion in the community, helping fishermen feel secure going out to sea, while also raising their sense of self-reliance in protecting the fishing industry.

In Hoai Nhon Dong Ward, E38 Group (established in 2017 with the aim of connecting fishermen in the ward through many activities to support each other at sea) with 21 offshore fishing vessels has become a bright spot in promoting the collective strength of fishermen. Mr. Do Van Ran, head of E38 Group, shared: Right from the first days of establishment, the brothers agreed on the goal of going to sea not only to exploit seafood, but also to support each other when facing difficulties at sea. This principle has always been remembered and strictly implemented by everyone up to now.

Since the beginning of 2025, the erratic weather has affected the output of some vessels in the Group. The spirit of solidarity has been promoted, members have shared experiences, encouraged each other to apply technology to improve the quality of seafood when catching and sell at higher prices when landing. Fishing vessels also regularly exchange information, remind each other to comply with State regulations, and work together to complete documents and procedures in accordance with regulations.

“We always accompany and support each other at sea as well as on land, regularly encouraging each other to contribute to removing the “yellow card”, so that the seafood caught has the opportunity to be exported to many countries, and the fish can be sold for a higher price,” said Mr. Ran.

Unity for the goal of removing the "yellow card"

The spirit of solidarity against IUU fishing is also clearly demonstrated through community activities in localities. On August 5, the People's Committee of De Gi commune coordinated with Cat Khanh Border Guard Station and other organizations to organize mobile propaganda in 15 coastal villages. The content was condensed into 10 easy-to-remember regulations, focusing on practical issues such as: not fishing in foreign waters, not turning off the journey monitoring device, not using prohibited fishing gear, not fishing in the wrong area, wrong route...

For many years, Long Thanh fishing village (Hoai Nhon ward) has not had any fishing boats violating foreign waters when fishing at sea. **Photo: NN**

"The propaganda is concise and easy to understand, helping people remember what they hear and apply it easily when going out to sea to fish," said Secretary of the De Gi Commune Youth Union, Nguyen Van Tam.

In Cat Tien commune, the mobilization work is specifically deployed to each household. Mr. Ngo Thanh Long, Head of Trung Luong village, said: Every time a fishing boat's license is about to expire, he proactively checks the list and reminds the boat owner to complete the procedures. "Seemingly small things are important links to prevent violating boats, not allowing the situation of "three-no boats" to occur, making it difficult for the common effort," Mr. Long emphasized.

In Phu My Dong commune, the authorities assigned officials to be in charge of each group of ships, closely following the area to propagate and mobilize, and at the same time closely monitoring. Thanks to that, cases with signs of violations were detected and prevented promptly. Chairman of the People's Committee of the commune Tran Minh Thong expected: "Each fisherman is a propagandist, each fishing village is a bright spot of discipline; thereby forming a solid defense line with community strength, contributing to removing the "yellow card" and building a sustainable fishing industry".

Source: https://baogialai.com.vn/gia-lai-van-chai-dong-long-chong-khai-thac-iuu-post564987.html