Phu My Dong strengthens supervision of fishing vessels violating regulations

(GLO)- Despite many difficulties in managing fishing vessels that are not qualified for exploitation, Phu My Dong commune (Gia Lai province) has persistently mobilized, monitored and coordinated with functional forces to bring fishing activities into order and in accordance with legal regulations.

Fishermen still have many problems

According to regulations, fishing vessels that are allowed to exploit aquatic resources must fully meet the following conditions: legal and valid registration and inspection; have an exploitation license clearly stating the fishing grounds, occupation and operating period; ensure technical safety standards, life-saving equipment, fire-fighting equipment, and communication; mark identification according to standards; install a voyage monitoring device (VMS) and keep an honest fishing log. In addition, the ship owner, captain and crew must have appropriate certificates, absolutely not use explosives, electric shocks, toxic chemicals or prohibited fishing gear to protect aquatic resources...

Phu My Dong Commune is aware of each fishing boat case and is actively persuading the boat owners to release the boat if it is determined that it is not operating for seafood exploitation. Photo: NN

However, in reality, Phu My Dong still has many shortcomings. Tan Phung 1 village currently has 11 converted boats with new engines (regulations require the use of marine engines). According to village chief Truong Ba Pha, these motor boats have been operating trawling in the offshore area for decades. Fishermen replaced the marine engines with motor engines to make the boats run more powerfully and fish more effectively.

“According to regulations, ships must use marine engines. However, the cost of purchasing marine engines is currently quite high, averaging 300-400 million VND, many people do not have enough money. In addition, installing marine engines does not make the ship operate as strongly as land engines, so ship owners do not want to replace them,” Mr. Pha shared.

The difficulty is that many boats were previously registered for fishing and purse seine, but after losses and labor shortages, they switched to trawling. Because they changed jobs without permission, when renewing their licenses, the authorities did not approve because they were not practicing the profession in accordance with the old license. Some households that registered for new jobs were also not accepted because they had reached the quota (number of registrations) as prescribed.

According to statistics of Phu My Dong Commune People's Committee, there is currently 1 ship that has not been registered, inspected, and anchored at Duong Dong Port (Phu Quoc, An Giang ); 21 ships have changed their engines, 37 ships do not have an operating license, and 90 ships have expired licenses. In addition, the commune has 14 ships that have not installed VMS equipment and 3 ships that have not transferred the ownership of this equipment.

The government persistently monitors and mobilizes

Faced with this situation, Phu My Dong commune has deployed specific solutions for each case, coordinating with functional forces to visit each ship owner's house to persistently encourage people to comply with legal regulations.

According to Vice Chairman of the Commune People's Committee Nguyen Ngoc Hanh, with 21 ships that have had their engines replaced but have not been inspected and re-registered according to regulations, the commune also requires the ship owners to discharge their stocks according to the policy of the Provincial People's Committee. During this time, the ship owners commit not to exploit aquatic products and not to leave fishing gear on board in any form.

Authorities of Phu My Dong commune visited each ship owner's house to persuade them. Photo: NN

For vessels that do not have a license or have expired, the Commune People's Committee shall coordinate with the Fisheries Sub-Department, Police, Border Guard, and inspection unit to organize meetings, instruct fishermen to re-apply for inspection procedures and apply for fishing licenses in accordance with regulations. The Fisheries Sub-Department also sends a mobile working group ready to directly support fishermen during the implementation process.

The commune also regularly updates the anchoring situation (time, location, images) of 14 vessels that have not installed VMS and 3 vessels that have not transferred the equipment, and sends it to the Fisheries Department for monitoring and management. Villages make lists, gather vessels in one area, and strictly prohibit them from going out to sea. The authorities closely monitor and do not allow these vessels to operate.

For ships anchored at ports outside the province, the commune will make a list and send it to the Department of Agriculture and Environment for synthesis, and advise the Provincial People's Committee to send a document to the People's Committees of related provinces to request coordination in management and not allow fishing vessels to participate in aquatic exploitation. "The locality is making every effort and hopes for the cooperation of the relevant agencies. In particular, the province needs to soon have a release policy so that the mobilization and persuasion of ship owners will be more effective," Mr. Hanh suggested.

Source: https://baogialai.com.vn/phu-my-dong-tang-cuong-giam-sat-tau-ca-vi-pham-post565757.html