Joining hands to lift the European Commission's "yellow card" against Vietnam's fisheries sector, the coastal border guard station of the Thanh Hoa Border Guard Command has implemented many measures to prevent and combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, resolutely and promptly handling violations.
Sam Son Border Guard Station is intensifying patrols, inspections, and propaganda efforts to encourage fishermen to strictly comply with regulations on fisheries exploitation.
The Sam Son Border Guard Station is tasked with managing and protecting the maritime border security in the area encompassing 14 communes and wards of Sam Son City and Quang Xuong District. This area has a coastline of 29.5 km, two estuaries, and nearly 2,700 boats and ships. From the beginning of 2024 to the present, the Sam Son Border Guard Station has conducted awareness campaigns at boat mooring areas and visited individual fishermen's homes to encourage them to sign commitments to comply with regulations on fisheries exploitation for hundreds of vessels. In addition, the unit has disseminated information through the city's and commune's public address systems; distributed leaflets and brochures; and displayed banners and slogans at the estuaries. The content of the awareness campaigns focuses on regulations preventing and combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing; the Vietnam Coast Guard Law; the Vietnam Law of the Sea; and the Fisheries Law. Following the Prime Minister 's directives on preventing illegal fishing in foreign waters; the Government Decree on administrative penalties for violations in the fisheries sector... At the same time, coordinating with the Thanh Hoa Fisheries Sub-Department, the Lach Hoi Fishing Port Management Board, and local Party committees and authorities to patrol and control at sea.
Mr. Tran Ngoc Quoc, from Quang Tien ward, Sam Son city, owner of fishing vessel TH90076TS, said: "Thanks to the awareness campaigns by the Border Guard and local authorities, we fishermen have become aware of the need to strictly comply with regulations when fishing at sea. We have installed complete vessel tracking devices and always keep them switched on throughout our operations at sea. We also remind each other to always fish in the permitted waters and not violate foreign waters."
Thanh Hoa province has over 6,500 fishing vessels. Of these, 1,166 are engaged in offshore fishing. Recently, the provincial Border Guard Command has instructed all coastal border posts and stations to maintain a 24/7 presence at river and estuary mouths; strengthened law enforcement measures; resolutely prevented fishing vessels (including those from other provinces) from going to sea without proper procedures and documentation; accurately identified the mooring locations of vessels lacking proper documentation and safety equipment; and focused on handling vessels that deliberately evade inspection and control by functional forces.
Following the principle of "slow and steady wins the race," through the persistent efforts of border guard officers and soldiers in disseminating general laws and specifically combating IUU (Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated) fishing, vessel owners and fishermen have complied well with regulations on the protection and sustainable exploitation of aquatic resources. At the same time, they have actively and proactively stayed in fishing grounds, both fishing effectively and providing strong support to the Border Guard and other functional forces in the struggle to protect the sovereignty of the nation's seas and islands. Fishing activities in the border waters of Thanh Hoa province have seen many positive changes recently. The number of fishing vessels violating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing regulations has decreased significantly. This achievement is thanks to the efforts of coastal border guard units in implementing measures to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, maintaining maritime security and integrating into the international community.
Colonel Le Van Nam, Deputy Commander and Chief of Staff of the Provincial Border Guard Command, said: "As a force that regularly interacts and connects with fishermen, the Border Guard has leveraged its strengths to firmly maintain its presence in the area. In addition, the Thanh Hoa Border Guard has strengthened coordination and information exchange with the coast guard, navy, fisheries inspection sub-department, border guards of other provinces, and relevant local authorities regarding the activities of fishing vessels, serving the work of management, investigation, verification, and handling of violations." Regular and ad hoc reviews are conducted to draw lessons learned and adjust and supplement measures to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of state management by the Border Guard in combating IUU fishing... Together with relevant levels, sectors, and units, the coastal border guard forces of Thanh Hoa province are determined and striving to overcome the EC's recommendations, contributing to the nationwide effort to remove the "yellow card" on fisheries as soon as possible, ensuring the interests of the people, and protecting Vietnam's position and image in the international arena.
Text and photos: Hoang Lan
Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/nhung-nguoi-linh-quan-ham-xanh-tham-gia-phong-chong-khai-thac-iuu-222610.htm
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