Lam Dong resolutely fights against IUU fishing in coastal areas

During the meeting, local leaders reported on the results of implementing tasks to combat IUU fishing, highlighting the advantages and difficulties encountered during the process.

According to statistics from the Provincial Department of Agriculture and Environment, despite the concerted efforts of authorities to implement various measures, the situation of fishing vessels violating regulations by losing connection with vessel tracking devices, and vessels with expired fishing licenses and registrations, still persists in some localities.

Specifically, in Phuoc Hoi ward, 66 out of 176 fishing vessels that violated regulations by losing connection with their vessel tracking devices are still being processed; while La Gi ward and Tan Hai commune have completed 100% of the processing.

Delegates expressed their opinions at the meeting.

After hearing the report, Lieutenant Colonel Pham Thanh Hung acknowledged and commended the sense of responsibility and decisive involvement of the local Party committees, authorities, police forces, border guards, and fisheries inspectors in implementing measures to combat IUU fishing in the past period.

He emphasized that combating IUU fishing is a particularly important political task, requiring the participation of the entire political system, in order to help lift the European Commission's (EC) "yellow card," protect national prestige, and move towards sustainable development of the fisheries sector.

Lieutenant Colonel Pham Thanh Hung, Deputy Director of the Provincial Police and Deputy Head of the Provincial Steering Committee, delivered a directive speech at the working session.

To achieve the set goals, the comrade requested that the leaders of the People's Committees of communes and wards strongly promote their role as heads, directly directing and regularly inspecting and monitoring the progress of task implementation. The leadership must be synchronized and unified, avoiding a situation where "the top is enthusiastic but the bottom is indifferent," effectively mobilizing the combined strength of the entire political system; in which the Police, Border Guard, and Fisheries Inspection forces play a core role.

In addition, it is necessary to focus on completely resolving the issue of 100% of fishing vessels violating regulations by losing connection with their vessel tracking devices and to review all vessels that do not meet operating conditions, completing this before October 30, 2025.

Local police forces should proactively invite owners of violating vessels to come in for questioning, coordinate verification in cases where they are absent, and assist relevant authorities in identifying the correct vessel owners for processing according to regulations. Border guards and fisheries inspectors should strengthen patrols and controls at fishing ports, harbors, and unauthorized fishing grounds; resolutely preventing fishing vessels that do not meet operating requirements from leaving port.

Simultaneously, the review and issuance of fishing licenses and registration certificates need to be expedited, ensuring strict adherence to regulations. Local authorities must clean up fishing vessel data, removing damaged, sunken, or inactive vessels to ensure accurate management information and effectively support the fight against IUU fishing.

Lieutenant Colonel Pham Thanh Hung, Deputy Director of the Provincial Police, along with the working group, conducted a direct inspection in Phuoc Hoi ward to verify the fishing vessel's loss of VMS connectivity.

Comrade Pham Thanh Hung also requested that during the implementation process, units clearly define the personnel, tasks, timelines, and responsibilities; each officer, soldier, and civil servant participating must thoroughly understand their assigned duties and be accountable to the Party Committee, the government, and the Steering Committee. Collectives and individuals who perform their duties well will be rewarded, while those who are negligent, behind schedule, or shirk responsibility will be severely punished.

Besides inspection and enforcement, the comrade emphasized the need to strengthen propaganda and mobilize fishermen to strictly comply with legal regulations in marine resource exploitation activities. Propaganda must be conducted regularly, through various forms, and combined with strict enforcement to deter and educate , contributing to a clear change in people's awareness and actions, towards legal and sustainable exploitation.

Source: https://baolamdong.vn/lam-dong-quyet-liet-chong-khai-thac-iuu-vung-ven-bien-397936.html