Fisheries: We need to work together and take responsibility.

Việt Nam•14/03/2024

For a long time, we have referred to fishing in a way that suggests the sea belongs to everyone, with everyone free to exploit it, each doing as they please. This has led to many negative consequences in fishing, causing environmental pollution and depletion of aquatic resources. We need responsible fishing, meaning fishermen need to change their behavior towards fishing by adhering to regulations, protecting aquatic resources, and moving towards sustainable exploitation.

Fisheries: We need to work together and take responsibility. A view of Lach Hoi port, Quang Tien ward (Sam Son city).

The fight against illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing in Thanh Hoa province is not a new issue. It's a task that has been implemented synchronously and decisively by all levels, sectors, and relevant units for many years. However, a review reveals several shortcomings and limitations that have yet to be addressed, such as: Many fishing vessels still lack the "three no's" (no registration, no inspection certificate, and no fishing license). Monitoring of seafood unloaded at ports remains weak. Law enforcement, verification, and handling of IUU fishing violations are still limited compared to the number of violations. In particular, many fishing vessels still have lost connection to their vessel tracking devices...

To overcome these limitations, the Thanh Hoa Fishing Port Management Board mobilized all its personnel to go down to the ship decks and into people's homes to educate ship owners on complying with the law. Mr. Le Van Han, Port Manager of Lach Hoi Port, one of the people who directly went to each ship and each house to persuade and educate the fishermen, said that he himself had encountered many situations where fishermen resisted, but when talking about the regulations, the strict penalties from the authorities, and the common goal of removing the "yellow card" and moving towards sustainable, long-term fishing, the ship owners listened and clearly understood the law.

Along the Lach Hoi port, alongside fishing boats docked due to non-compliance with regulations, there are still triumphant vessels returning to port. These are large, modern ships, some reaching 25-30 meters in length. Mr. Nguyen Van Hieu, owner of vessel number 92968-TS, said: During operations at sea, ship owners regularly support each other regarding coordinates, fishing grounds, and compliance with regulations on seafood exploitation, avoiding violations of fishing in foreign waters. If they detect trawling vessels or vessels using small mesh nets for destructive, environmentally unfriendly fishing, they remind them or even report them to the authorities for handling.

As for boat owner Nguyen Duc Hai, from Quang Tien ward (Sam Son city), since being informed about regulations on preventing IUU fishing, he has started the habit of reporting his catch upon his return. He also always keeps a logbook recording his catch and production figures for reference when authorities inspect. This record-keeping helps him understand whether his catch is increasing or decreasing. Unlike before, when he simply brought his fish to port to sell, Mr. Hai understands that continuing to violate IUU fishing regulations not only damages the country's image but also jeopardizes his own livelihood.

According to the Thanh Hoa Fishing Port Management Board, many solutions to overcome existing shortcomings and limitations, and to join hands with the whole country in lifting the European Commission's "yellow card" in fisheries exploitation, have been and are being implemented. In addition to disseminating regulations on fishing activities, strong measures are being applied such as: strengthening the review and statistical analysis of fishing vessels with "three no's" (no inspection, no permits, no permits, no documents, no safety certifications, no safety certifications, no permits ...

It can be said that all efforts at this time are directed towards helping fishermen properly implement the regulations in fishing activities under the Fisheries Law, aiming for professionalism and sustainability in the industry.

Text and photos: Dinh Giang

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