Take decisive action and thoroughly address IUU violations.

(GLO) - Implementing the 2017 Fisheries Law and regulations on fisheries exploitation in a comprehensive and effective manner, and addressing shortcomings and limitations as recommended by the European Commission (EC) are the solutions that Gia Lai province has set out in Plan No. 2385/QD-UBND to lift the "yellow card" warning in the 5th inspection.

On October 27th, the Provincial People's Committee issued Plan No. 2385/QD-UBND on the action plan for the peak month to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing and promote sustainable development of the fisheries sector in the province.

Accordingly, the entire province will launch a campaign to resolutely and thoroughly handle all IUU violations; striving to ensure that by November 15, 2025, there will be no more fishing vessels violating regulations by losing connection with their vessel tracking system (VMS) for more than 6 hours without reporting their location, losing connection for more than 10 days without bringing the vessel ashore, or exceeding the permitted fishing boundaries at sea.

Border Guard Squadron 2, in coordination with Nhon Chau Border Guard Station and Nhon Chau Commune People's Committee, inspected and controlled fishing vessels operating in the Nhon Chau sea area. Photo: Provided by the agency.

Take decisive action and address the issue thoroughly.

Following the directive of the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, Pham Anh Tuan, in order to further affirm the strong commitment of Gia Lai province in particular and Vietnam in general to combat IUU fishing, the Provincial People's Committee requests that departments, agencies, and coastal localities focus on unified, synchronized leadership and decisively implement urgent solutions to address the EC's warning on combating IUU fishing.

Particularly at the grassroots level, there must be greater responsibility, thoroughness, and focused, decisive implementation of solutions to combat IUU fishing, ensuring the principle of "the people know, the people understand, the people trust, the people follow, and the people act."

Heads of all levels, sectors, and coastal localities should regularly monitor and grasp the situation, and strengthen patrol, inspection, control, investigation, and handling of violations of IUU fishing regulations to ensure the implementation of urgent solutions to address the EC's warning on IUU fishing.

The entire local political system focuses on and directs the implementation of solutions to combat IUU fishing, especially preventing local fishing vessels from violating foreign waters. The heads of Party committees, Party organizations, and governments at all levels, as well as relevant departments, agencies, and localities, directly lead, direct, and are responsible for the work of preventing and combating IUU fishing.

The Border Guard Command, the Provincial Police, and relevant departments and localities must have a specific roadmap to overcome shortcomings and limitations in the fight against IUU fishing according to their assigned tasks; they must regularly inspect, supervise, and promptly resolve difficulties and obstacles in the implementation of their duties. The "5 clear" requirements are essential: clear person, clear task, clear time, clear results, and clear responsibility in the fight against IUU fishing.

Various sectors and localities are actively participating.

Actively responding to the Month of Action against IUU fishing, coastal localities have simultaneously launched campaigns. Mr. Tran Minh Lam, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Hoai Nhon Bac ward, said: Through a review, to date, the ward has 1,299 vessels with a maximum length from 6 m to under 24 m that have been registered in the Fisheries Database for management according to regulations.

Additionally, the locality also has 3 unregistered vessels (vessels with no registration number) and 50 vessels with a maximum length of less than 6 meters that have been numbered and are managed by the Ward People's Committee.

The launch of the intensified action month against IUU fishing demonstrates the determination of Gia Lai province, along with the rest of the country, in the effort to lift the EC's "yellow card". In the photo: Fishing boat activities at De Gi fishing port. Photo: NH

“To date, 100% of fishing vessels with a length of 15 m to under 24 m operating in offshore areas have been equipped with vessel tracking devices; 165 fishing vessels have been issued electronic logbooks; currently, units are continuing to coordinate with Tam Quan Fishing Port and vessel owners in the area to register electronic logbooks, striving to achieve 100% for fishing vessels over 15 m operating in offshore areas and will continue to issue electronic logbook records to fishing vessels with a length of 12 m to under 15 m in the coming time,” Mr. Lam said.

At De Gi Fishing Port, the People's Committee of De Gi commune, along with relevant authorities, are on duty 24/7 to patrol and control the movement of people and vehicles entering and leaving the port. The management of fishing vessel records is carried out regularly; the list of vessels with expired registration and licenses is announced, and groups of vessels at high risk of violations are reviewed for close monitoring.

Currently, De Gi commune has 583 fishing vessels with a length of 6 meters or more, including 174 vessels operating in coastal waters (vessels with a length from 6 meters to less than 12 meters), 172 vessels operating in offshore waters (vessels with a length from 12 meters to less than 15 meters), and 237 vessels operating in deep-sea waters (vessels with a length of 15 meters or more). Upon review, 40 fishing vessels were found to be unqualified for fishing, including 36 vessels with expired fishing licenses and 29 vessels with expired registration.

The People's Committee of the commune, in coordination with the Cat Khanh Border Guard Station, invited the boat owners to a meeting, requesting them to commit to completing registration, inspection, and fishing license procedures before setting sail. At the same time, the commune compiled a list for management purposes, publicly posted it in the community, and prohibited boats that did not meet the requirements from anchoring in the area in front of the fishing port, requiring them not to keep fishing gear on board.

“The People's Committee of De Gi commune assigns officials and Party members to monitor each fishing vessel, ensuring that no vessels operate until all procedures are completed. Officials assigned to this task will be held accountable to the People's Committee of the commune if any violations occur. In addition to inspections, the commune guides fishermen in completing the necessary paperwork for the issuance or renewal of fishing licenses according to regulations,” said Trinh Minh Binh, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of De Gi commune.

In Nhon Chau island commune, during the peak month of implementation, the People's Committee of the commune continues to promote propaganda against IUU fishing and considers this an urgent task to contribute to the province's efforts to lift the IUU "yellow card" and protect aquatic resources.

Mr. Nguyen Van Be, Permanent Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Nhon Chau commune, said: The entire commune currently has 59 fishing vessels, 100% of which have been registered and identified; of which 49 vessels have been granted fishing licenses, and 10 vessels whose licenses have expired are currently anchored together at the dock.

“The commune is intensifying propaganda efforts to ensure that fishermen and boat owners operate legally and put an end to IUU violations. Border Guard forces, police, and related units regularly patrol and inspect, promptly preventing acts of using trawling nets and electric shock fishing,” Mr. Bé said.

Source: https://baogialai.com.vn/quyet-liet-hanh-dong-xu-ly-triet-de-vi-pham-iuu-post570680.html