Promoting the role of fishermen in preventing and combating IUU fishing

Fishermen are not only the direct force in exploiting marine resources, but also play an important role as “eyes and ears” in detecting and preventing violations in seafood exploitation. To effectively promote this role, in the coming time, the Border Guard Command of An Giang province will continue to direct units to strengthen propaganda and mobilize fishermen to strictly comply with the provisions of the law in seafood fishing activities.

The fisheries sector plays an important role in socio -economic development, especially in coastal areas. However, along with development comes the risk of overexploitation and violations of regulations against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, causing depletion of resources, affecting livelihoods and losing export markets.

To improve the effectiveness of IUU fishing prevention and control, Border Guard units will closely coordinate with specialized agencies in inspecting and monitoring ship owners and fishermen using fishing logs and voyage monitoring devices (VMS), and at the same time requiring transparency in port arrival and departure notifications. Authorities call on fishermen to cooperate in providing information and evidence of IUU fishing activities and actively participate in propaganda work to raise awareness among the fishing community. Agencies, departments, branches and organizations will step up propaganda and organize training courses to help fishermen understand the harmful effects of IUU fishing and the long-term benefits of complying with the law. The province will support career transition, invest in modern fishing technology, provide capital support, fishing vessel insurance, etc. At the same time, encourage community models of aquatic resource management through fishing teams and unions; Strengthen inspection and supervision of VMS system and strictly handle violations from port to sea.

Forces, youth and women join in propaganda against IUU fishing

In many coastal localities of An Giang province, models of fishing communities participating in combating IUU fishing have initially shown effectiveness. Typical examples are offshore fishing solidarity groups, including groups of 3-5 vessels cooperating in fishing, supporting monitoring, rescue and reporting violations. Some fishing ports have met standards, monitoring 100% of ships arriving and leaving ports; fishing data is public and transparent. Fishermen are also instructed to collect and treat marine waste to protect the marine environment. "Fishermen become the subjects in these models. Preventing and combating IUU fishing is no longer a dry administrative order, but a voluntary action stemming from community interests" - Mr. Do Duc Quyet, Vice Chairman of the Rach Gia Ward Fisheries Association shared.

In reality, combating IUU fishing is not only the responsibility of the government or international organizations, but also the common responsibility of the whole society, especially the fishing community. When fishermen become propagandists on the front line of protecting fishing grounds, the reputation and brand of Vietnamese seafood will also be firmly consolidated. Colonel Doan Dinh Chanh, Deputy Political Commissar of the Border Guard Command of An Giang province, said: "Fishermen are the ones who directly exploit and understand each fishing ground and season best.... They are most severely affected if resources are depleted, even if they do not directly violate. Therefore, promoting the role of fishermen in preventing and combating IUU is of decisive and long-term significance."

One of the key factors is to mobilize the entire population to participate in monitoring, detecting and denouncing violations. Fishermen can provide information, images and evidence of foreign fishing vessels violating the sea or illegal fishing. At the same time, join safe production teams, cooperative groups to monitor each other at sea; propagate and convince those who do not fully understand the regulations against IUU fishing, becoming the nucleus to spread the culture of responsible fishing in coastal communities.

ICE PEARL

Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/phat-huy-vai-tro-cua-ngu-dan-trong-phong-chong-khai-thac-iuu-a423607.html