Resolutely handle violations of illegal exploitation and aquaculture

Patrol and control team, Van Gia Port Border Gate Border Station inspects ship HP-92666-TS in Vinh Thuc commune waters, April 2025. Photo: Provided by Van Gia Port Border Gate Border Station

Although the province has been very determined in propaganda work as well as handling violations in illegal and unregulated aquaculture and fishing, since the beginning of 2025, the functional forces have still discovered many violations in the province and have handled them according to regulations. Recently, on April 12, the Patrol and Control Team of the Van Gia Port Border Gate Border Post (Provincial Border Guard) while on duty in the sea area southeast of Dau Tan, Village 1, Vinh Thuc Commune discovered a wooden fishing boat with license plate HP-92666-TS, 23.4m long, 6.7m wide, equipped with a 510CV engine, exploiting aquatic products by trawling. Working with the authorities, Mr. Dinh Xuan Thang (captain) presented the required documents and admitted to the violation of using a fishing vessel with a maximum length of 15m to less than 24m to carry out trawl fishing in coastal areas.

Also on the same day, the Inspection Team inspected a wooden fishing boat with license plate number QN-90155-TS, 15.2m long, 4.55m wide, equipped with a 350CV engine, traveling from Tra Co sea area to Tran Island, with Mr. Vu Van Canh as the ship owner, captain and chief engineer. Mr. Vu Van Canh presented all procedures and documents about the person and the vehicle, but upon inspection of the vehicle, the Team discovered a used electric shock device in the engine compartment. The Border Guard Station of Van Gia Port issued a decision to administratively fine Mr. Vu Van Canh 12.5 million VND for storing electric shock devices for exploiting aquatic products as prescribed and confiscated 1 electric shock device; Request superiors to review the records and issue a decision to administratively fine Dinh Xuan Thang 25 million VND for using a fishing vessel with a maximum length of 15m to less than 24m to carry out trawl fishing in coastal areas.

In addition to patrolling, controlling and handling illegal fishing activities, some places in the province still have illegal fishing activities. In Ha Long City, to completely handle illegal fishing activities, the People's Committee of Ha Long City issued Document No. 2561 (dated May 7, 2025), assigning the People's Committees of Tuan Chau, Hung Thang and Ha Khau wards to coordinate with the Ha Long City Urban Order and Environment Inspection Team to arrange forces and organize the complete handling of illegal fishing activities in the management area. Recently, the People's Committees of the above wards have coordinated to organize forces to drastically dismantle rafts, wooden stakes and fishing ropes, focusing on the coastal areas adjacent to the above areas. At the same time, households are required not to repeat violations of fishing activities that are not located in the city's planned farming areas.

According to the report of the Department of Agriculture and Environment, in the whole province, in April 2025, the province's functional forces discovered and handled 44 cases of violations of regulations against IUU fishing associated with the management of exploitation and protection of aquatic resources.

Aquaculture households in Van Don district restore production after storm No. 3/2024. Photo: Nguyen Duy

In addition to patrolling, controlling and handling violations of regulations on combating IUU fishing, in April 2025, functional forces and local People's Committees also organized 19 dissemination sessions on fisheries laws to over 1,200 fishermen; distributed 1,224 leaflets and documents on regulations on combating IUU fishing, zoning maps, routes, fishing logs, etc. In addition, the management of fishing vessels has also been tightened by the units. Up to now, the whole province has 6,192 fishing vessels, of which 1,889 vessels are managed by the People's Committees at the commune level with a length of less than 6m; 3,543 vessels are managed by the People's Committees at the district level with a length of 6m to less than 12m (must be registered and granted a fishing license). Up to now, 3,329/3,543 vessels have been granted fishing licenses. The whole province also has 481 fishing vessels with length from 12m to under 15m, of which 459 vessels have been granted fishing licenses; there are 270 fishing vessels with length from 15m or more, of which 266 vessels have been granted fishing licenses.

Every week, the authorities focus on making a list of fishing vessels at high risk of violating IUU and losing connection offshore for more than 10 days, sending it to the Provincial Border Guard Command, Provincial Police, Provincial People's Committee and People's Committees of coastal localities to grasp, coordinate, inspect and verify according to regulations.

Nguyen Hue

Source: https://baoquangninh.vn/kien-quyet-xu-ly-vi-pham-khai-thac-nuoi-trong-thuy-san-trai-phep-3358757.html