Ha Tinh established an interdisciplinary team to combat IUU fishing.

To promptly rectify and overcome shortcomings in the process of exploiting seafood at sea, the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Ha Tinh established an interdisciplinary inspection team in communes and wards.

Implementing the direction of the People's Committee of Ha Tinh province on the implementation of the peak month against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, the Department of Agriculture and Environment (DARD) of Ha Tinh has established an interdisciplinary inspection team to conduct inspections at the People's Committees of communes and wards with fishing vessels such as: Co Dam, Dan Hai, Loc Ha, Thach Ha, Thien Cam, Cam Trung, Hai Ninh, Hoanh Son, Song Tri and the management boards of fishing ports and storm shelters in the province. The inspection period starts from November 12 and ends on November 15, 2025.

Interdisciplinary delegation inspects and rectify anti-IUU fishing work in localities. Photo: Thanh Nga.

In recent times, the work of preventing and combating IUU fishing in Ha Tinh has achieved many positive results. Departments, branches, functional forces and authorities of coastal localities have increased propaganda and dissemination of laws on fisheries, guiding fishermen to strictly implement regulations on exploitation, record keeping, production reporting and electronic declaration (eCDT VN). The work of monitoring vessels through the VMS system, controlling and handling violations of vessels with expired licenses and lost connection to voyage monitoring devices has been carried out closely and promptly, thereby significantly improving fishermen's awareness and compliance.

“Ha Tinh fishing boats mainly fish near shore, there are no boats violating foreign waters. However, the situation of boats losing connection to VMS still happens occasionally, while verification and handling are difficult. It is recommended that communes and wards focus on widespread propaganda, raising awareness among fishermen to join hands with the whole country to soon remove the IUU 'yellow card'”, Mr. Tran Huu Khanh, Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment, Head of the inspection team, emphasized.

The interdisciplinary team conducted inspections in localities from November 12 to 15. Photo: Thanh Nga.

According to Mr. Khanh, the work of preventing and combating IUU fishing is a key political task that needs special attention. In the coming time, localities need to continue to review and make a list of fishing vessels that have lost VMS connection or are not qualified to operate, coordinate with functional forces to inspect, monitor, and strictly handle violations. At the same time, coordinate with the provincial Fisheries Department to organize training and widely disseminate other legal regulations on combating IUU fishing for ship owners and fishermen, ensuring practical, effective and sustainable implementation.

Propaganda and raising awareness among fishermen about combating IUU fishing plays a very important role. Photo: Thanh Nga.

Ha Tinh province has more than 3,900 registered fishing vessels. Of which, the fleet operating in the offshore area (length from 12m to under 15m) has 275 vessels; the fleet with length from 15m or more operating in the offshore area has 73 vessels; the fleet with length from 6m to under 12m has more than 3,600 vessels. The annual aquatic product output reaches nearly 40,000 tons, with a growth rate of 4%/year.

Source: https://nongnghiepmoitruong.vn/ha-tinh-lap-doan-lien-nganh-chong-khai-thac-iuu-d784111.html