BTO- This is one of the directions of Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha at the 12th Conference on combating illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUU) held on the morning of January 14. The conference was connected online to coastal provinces and cities. Attending the conference at the Binh Thuan province bridge were Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Nguyen Hong Hai, leaders of relevant departments, branches and sectors.
After more than 7 years (2017 - 2025) of combating IUU fishing and removing the "Yellow Card" warning from the European Commission (EC), our country has basically overcome the contents according to the EC's recommendations at the 4th inspection in October 2023. Accordingly, the situation of fishing vessels and fishermen of our country violating illegal fishing in foreign waters has decreased significantly. The EC continues to acknowledge and appreciate the Government's timely issuance of Decrees on administrative sanctions for violations in the field of fisheries; handling of "3 no" fishing vessels; issuing instructions on the application of a number of provisions of the Penal Code to handle acts related to sending fishing vessels and fishermen to illegally exploit in foreign waters, which has created a strong change in deterrence andeducation in the fishing community.
As of January 6, 2025, the whole country has reviewed and counted 84,536 fishing vessels, of which the number of registered fishing vessels updated on VN-Fishbase is 83,648, reaching 98.9%; 25,942 fishing vessels with valid fishing licenses have been granted to fleets of 15 meters or more, reaching 90.3%; and the handling of "3 no" fishing vessels has been completed. Fishing vessels with a length of 15 meters or more participating in fishing activities have installed fishing vessel monitoring equipment, reaching 28,312, reaching 100%. The control of fishing vessels entering and leaving ports and operating at sea has made much progress. The traceability of exploited aquatic products has been implemented more strictly by localities than before. To date, no IUU violations have been detected in shipments exported to the European market.
In addition, 32 criminal cases related to brokerage, collusion, illegal exit of fishing vessels and fishermen to illegally exploit seafood in foreign waters; sending and transporting VMS equipment, legalizing IUU violation records... Penalties for violations of disconnecting VMS and illegal exploitation in foreign waters continue to be strengthened. In 2 years (2023 and 2024), the whole country has handled more than 8,300 cases with a total amount of about 189 billion VND.
In Binh Thuan, the work of registering fishing vessels according to Circular No. 06/2024/TT-BNNPTNT has been completed on time. The whole province has 2,804 "3 no" fishing vessels with a length of 6m or more. After review, 94 vessels did not meet the requirements; to date, 2,710 fishing vessels have been registered according to Circular 06, reaching 100%. In addition, Binh Thuan is a locality highly appreciated by the Government and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development for its implementation of groups of solutions to combat IUU fishing. More than 8,600 fishing vessels have been updated on the national database VNFishbase; 100% of VMS equipment installation for fishing vessels has been completed. The management and operation of the VMS system has been carried out seriously, promptly detecting disconnected fishing vessels for handling according to procedures and regulations. Accumulated from the beginning of the year until now, 526 administrative violations have been punished/VND 4,759.5 million...
Speaking at the conference, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha requested that departments, ministries, branches and localities continue to focus on completing key and urgent tasks and solutions by April 2025, overcoming limitations before the EC Inspection Delegation visits for the 5th time. Resolutely and strictly handle the responsibilities of organizations and individuals who do not fulfill their assigned duties and tasks, assist and condone IUU fishing, affecting the common efforts to remove the "Yellow Card" warning of the whole country.
The Deputy Prime Minister also directed relevant agencies to strengthen the review, classification, verification, and strict handling of individuals and groups that intentionally violate legal regulations at sea and onshore, strictly monitor fishing vessels entering and leaving ports, trace the origin of seafood, etc. Coastal provinces and cities urgently complete registration, inspection, and licensing of fishing activities, fully update the National Fisheries Database; strictly implement regulations on controlling fishing vessels entering and leaving ports, monitoring output through ports; effectively implement the eCDT system; thoroughly handle IUU fishing violations, etc.
Source: https://baobinhthuan.com.vn/quyet-tam-hoan-thanh-cac-nhiem-vu-giai-phap-trong-tam-chong-khai-thac-iuu-127276.html
Comment (0)