Quang Ninh, Binh Thuan, Quang Tri take drastic actions to combat IUU fishing

Many provinces and cities across the country have taken drastic actions to combat IUU fishing, determined to work with the whole country to remove the EC's "Yellow Card", aiming towards sustainable fisheries development.

Experts in Australia assess that Vietnam has many positive changes in removing the IUU "yellow card"

Vietnam is determined to remove the IUU "Yellow Card" warning in 2024.

Quang Ninh requires nearly 1,500 fishing boats to register according to regulations.

The People's Committee of Quang Ninh province has just assigned the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to preside over and guide the People's Committees of localities and relevant units to organize the reception of dossiers for official registration of fishing vessels. The time for receiving registration dossiers is until December 31, 2024.

After January 5, 2025, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development will compile and list illegal fishing vessels on the list and send them to the competent authorities and local authorities for strict handling in accordance with regulations.

By June 22, 2024, the whole province had 6,193 registered fishing vessels (officially registered and temporarily registered). The number of fishing vessels granted fishing licenses reached 94% (an increase of 7.3% compared to 2023); 100% of registered fishing vessels had their data updated on VNfishbase, an increase of 9% compared to December 31, 2023; 100% of fishing vessels over 15m operating offshore routes installed voyage monitoring devices and were closely controlled and monitored by functional sectors.

Along with the management of fishing vessels, all levels and sectors of the province have also increased inspection and handling of violations. Since the beginning of the year, the province has handled 181 fishing vessels, imposing administrative fines of nearly VND2 billion.

Illustration photo.

Binh Thuan specially monitors more than 170 fishing boats

On July 1, the People's Committee of Binh Thuan province sent a document to relevant units requesting to strengthen the management of high-risk fishing vessels to prevent violations of foreign waters.

Accordingly, the Provincial People's Committee has directed units to review, compile lists, and strengthen monitoring of fishing vessels at risk of violating foreign waters. Fishing vessels identified as at risk of violation include: fishing vessels in high-risk occupations (fishing, diving, logistics services, etc.) in areas with many fishing vessels violating foreign waters; fishing vessels operating in offshore areas that frequently lose VMS connection in border areas or fishing vessels that repeatedly lose VMS connection for less than 6 hours in border areas without reporting or for unknown reasons; fishing vessels that have previously violated foreign waters and have been detected or fishing vessels with fishermen on board (especially the captain) who have previously violated foreign waters and have been arrested and returned...

Based on factors and signs of fishing vessels at high risk of violating foreign waters, agencies, units and localities have identified 173 fishing vessels at risk of violating foreign waters; of which, Tuy Phong district has 13 vessels; Phan Thiet city has 18 vessels; Ham Thuan Nam district has 2 vessels; La Gi town has 48 vessels; Ham Tan district has 7 vessels; Phu Quy island district has 85 vessels.

According to the report of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Binh Thuan province, the number of "3 no" fishing boats that have been checked and counted is 2,515. The Department of Fisheries has granted temporary registration to 2,348 "3 no" fishing boats and is continuing to check, count and grant registration according to regulations.

Up to now, Binh Thuan has completed the installation of VMS equipment for all fishing vessels in operation; 11 fishing vessels have not been installed (La Gi town 3 vessels; Phan Thiet city 4 vessels; Phu Quy district 3 vessels; Tuy Phong district 1 vessel), these vessels have stopped operating due to damage, being on shore, executing judgments, civil disputes... have been listed by the authorities for management and supervision according to regulations.

Quang Tri launches peak campaign against IUU fishing

From July 1 to August 31, 2024, Quang Tri province will launch a peak period of increased patrolling, inspection and control at sea; resolutely and strictly handle violations in the fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Quang Tri province Nguyen Huu Vinh requested units to strengthen inspection and handling of fishing vessels that dock at the wrong port; continue to propagate regulations related to anti-IUU fishing to fishermen...

The leaders of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Quang Tri province also requested units to overcome some existing limitations in the implementation of anti-IUU fishing, including: fishing vessels participating in fishing activities that do not meet the conditions, do not notify 1 hour before docking, exploit in the wrong area, and the quality of fishing logs is not guaranteed. Fishing vessels with a maximum length of 15m or more do not dock at the designated fishing port to unload aquatic products still occur. VMS devices that lose connection detected through the Fishing Vessel Monitoring System still exist, but handling them is difficult and limited. Some VMS devices often lose connection due to satellite errors and technical errors, leading to difficulties in managing and monitoring the activities of fishing vessels at sea.

Source: https://thoidai.com.vn/quang-ninh-binh-thuan-quang-tri-hanh-dong-quyet-liet-ve-chong-khai-thac-iuu-201795.html