Hai Phong launches peak month against IUU fishing

Hai Phong City has implemented a synchronous action plan to combat illegal fishing, aiming to develop sustainable fisheries and remove the EC's 'yellow card'.

Hai Phong City People's Committee has just issued Plan No. 281/KH-UBND to implement the Peak Month against illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing and sustainable development of the fisheries industry.

According to statistics, Hai Phong currently has 809 fishing vessels operating, but management is still facing difficulties because some vessels have not completed their documents, have not had their license plates properly marked, the vessel monitoring system (VMS) is disconnected, and the control of arrivals and departures from ports is not strict.

To overcome this situation, the Chairman of the Hai Phong City People's Committee assigned the Department of Agriculture and Environment to be the focal agency, presiding over many key tasks such as: Inventory, classification, registration, inspection, issuance or renewal of licenses for qualified fishing vessels. At the same time, make a list of unqualified vessels to monitor and control, ensuring that 100% of registered fishing vessels must have license plates and markings according to the regulations of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (now the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment ).

Hai Phong City currently has 809 fishing boats in operation. Photo: Hoang Phong.

In addition, policies on job conversion and liquidation of fishing vessels that are no longer needed for exploitation will be issued, and fishermen will be supported in replacing and maintaining VMS equipment connections. Authorities will control fishing vessels leaving and arriving at ports, monitor the volume of seafood unloaded, especially at private fishing ports, and simultaneously deploy the electronic traceability system (eCDT) at all fishing ports.

Assign the City Police to verify information data of each fishing vessel, fully and accurately update fishing vessel information data into the National Fisheries Database (VNFishbase) and the fishing vessel monitoring system with the national population database VneID.

The City Border Guard Command arranges centralized anchoring locations, posts lists in the community, seals fishing vessels, does not leave fishing gear and equipment on board, and assigns individuals to monitor the anchoring locations of 100% of fishing vessels that do not meet the conditions for fishing activities.

Conducting peak periods of patrolling, inspecting and controlling regularly and continuously in sea areas and islands, estuaries, river mouths, inlets, coastal flats... to prevent and handle fishing vessels violating IUU fishing until the end of the 5th inspection period of the European Commission...

For the People's Committees of communes, wards and special zones with fishing vessels, the Chairman of the People's Committee of Hai Phong City requested coordination in inspecting and sealing fishing vessels that do not meet the requirements, arranging centralized anchorage, and periodically reporting on the operating status. Localities also need to announce the opening and operation of fishing ports, and arrange resources for inspection and control according to regulations.

The Chairman of the Hai Phong City People's Committee also requested departments and branches such as Justice, Finance, Science and Technology, Construction and the City Police to coordinate and synchronously deploy management, traceability and violation handling.

The implementation of the peak month and the clear assignment of responsibilities to each agency and unit is a drastic step by Hai Phong in its efforts to improve the effectiveness of fisheries management, overcome shortcomings, and move towards removing the EC's "yellow card", creating conditions to promote sustainable seafood exports.

Source: https://nongnghiepmoitruong.vn/hai-phong-trien-khai-thang-cao-diem-chong-khai-thac-iuu-d782163.html