Signing of coordination between the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Provincial Border Guard Command on combating IUU fishing

BTO-On the afternoon of March 6, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development held a meeting to evaluate the results of the coordination in preventing and combating IUU fishing in 2023 between the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Provincial Border Guard Command (referred to as the two branches); signed a coordination plan for 2024.

Attending the event were Mr. Nguyen Van Chien - Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development; Lieutenant Colonel Pham Xuan Do - Deputy Commander - Chief of Staff of the Provincial Border Guard Command, leaders of the Fisheries Sub-Department, representatives of Fisheries Control Stations, Director of the Fishing Vessel Inspection Center, the collective of the Fishing Port Management Board... In addition, there were also leaders of the Staff Department, Political Department, Reconnaissance Department, Heads of Border Guard Stations...

In 2023, the two sectors have focused and made many efforts to seriously implement the contents of the coordination plan. Thereby demonstrating the core role in implementing the prevention and combat of IUU fishing in the province, especially controlling and preventing violations of foreign waters under the direction of the Prime Minister , the National Steering Committee on IUU, the Provincial Party Committee, and the Provincial People's Committee.

Thanks to the high consensus from the leaders of the two sectors to the affiliated units in the implementation. Especially the tasks: Controlling and preventing fishing vessels from violating foreign waters; controlling the installation of equipment to monitor the journey of fishing vessels with a length of 15 meters or more; inspecting, checking, and controlling fisheries at fishing ports; patrolling, checking, controlling, and handling violations of regulations on exploitation and protection of aquatic resources at sea... Thereby, it has helped fishermen to be aware and understand the law on fisheries; the situation of foreign fishing vessels violating has had positive changes; completing the installation of VMS, promoting the database of monitoring fishing vessels' journeys in the warning of crossing the border. Fisheries inspection and control activities at the Fisheries Control Office have been strengthened, contributing to the prevention and combat of IUU fishing.

Coast Guard patrols and conducts a propaganda campaign to prevent the spread of Covid-19 with sailors when the ship enters an anchorage at the port. Photo: nl-8 — Provincial Border Guard patrolling at sea (photo: N. Lan)

In addition, the two sectors have coordinated with functional units in monitoring, controlling, and supervising fishing vessels (including vessels from other provinces); coordinated with the Fishing Vessel Monitoring Team to thoroughly handle cases of fishing vessels losing connection to VMS equipment at sea, and fishing vessels crossing permitted boundaries at sea more frequently. Through the coordination plan, the Border Guard and fisheries management agencies have enhanced their responsibilities, closely coordinated, regularly, and extensively in related management aspects, achieving many positive and important results in preventing and combating IUU fishing, ensuring political security, order and safety at sea, actively supporting fishermen's production activities, contributing to socio-economic development, protecting sovereignty over seas and islands.

seafood-fishing-boat-in-phu-quy-anh-n.-lan-15-.jpg — The situation of fishing vessels exceeding permitted boundaries at sea and fishing vessels losing connection to VMS is still common.

However, in recent times, fishing vessels and fishermen have still violated foreign waters. Fishing vessels exceeding permitted boundaries at sea and fishing vessels losing VMS connection are still common. IUU fishing violations in the province (not maintaining VMS connection); no fishing license; not registered; expired inspection; not recording or submitting fishing logs, not reporting as prescribed...) are still quite common, but handling is not really drastic, lacking deterrence, affecting the effectiveness of combating IUU fishing in the area...

The two sectors will continue to work closely together to combat IUU fishing.

The two sectors signed a plan to coordinate against IUU fishing in 2024.

In 2024, the two sectors will continue to coordinate closely, clearly defining tasks and responsibilities in combating IUU fishing, especially during the peak period from now until April 30, 2024. Accordingly, the two sectors will synchronously and drastically deploy solutions to combat IUU fishing, especially controlling and preventing fishing vessels and fishermen from illegally exploiting foreign waters. Continue to promote propaganda and dissemination of laws to fishermen. Strengthen the exchange and handling of communication information between the two sectors' forces on fishing vessel management, seafood exploitation activities at sea, vessels losing VMS signals, crossing boundaries... In addition, focus resources on implementing registration and temporary registration for "3 no" fishing vessels in operation. Investigate and advise the Provincial People's Committee to continue handling cases of fishing vessels being detained by foreign countries, cases of illegal seafood exploitation in foreign waters...

At the meeting, the two sectors signed a coordination plan between the two sides, continuing to implement important contents in the work of preventing IUU fishing.

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