Sam Son actively fights against IUU fishing

Currently, Sam Son City is actively implementing urgent measures to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing with the determination to work with the province to lift the European Commission's "yellow card."

Sam Son Border Guard Station organizes patrols and inspections of fishing boats entering and leaving the Lach Hoi estuary.

Currently, Sam Son City has 1,625 fishing vessels. Of these, 1,332 are under 6 meters in length; 53 are between 6 and under 12 meters; 86 are between 12 and under 15 meters; and 154 are 15 meters or longer. To address existing shortcomings and limitations in combating IUU (Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated) fishing, on September 20, 2024, Sam Son City issued Plan No. 4852/KH-TCTLN of the inter-agency task force on combating IUU fishing in the area. Accordingly, members of the task force regularly coordinate and focus on directing, inspecting, and handling vessels lacking proper documentation and those operating without the required permits ("three no's") in the communes and wards. The forces resolutely prohibit the operation of vessels and relocate those without the necessary documents to shelters No. 1 and No. 2 in the storm shelters of Quang Tien ward. Communes and wards regularly coordinate with the Sam Son Border Guard Station and the Lach Hoi Fishing Port Management Board to guide owners of "3-no" fishing vessels in completing the necessary paperwork according to regulations. At the same time, they organize the affixing of "3-no" fishing vessel registration plates for monitoring and management, and install surveillance camera systems. These vessels are strictly prohibited from going out to sea until all procedures, paperwork, registration, and inspection are completed. To raise fishermen's awareness of combating IUU fishing and lift the European Commission's "yellow card" warning, Sam Son City has intensified propaganda efforts to raise fishermen's awareness; strictly managed offshore fishing vessels and monitored fishing vessels; and urged vessel owners and coastal fishermen to strictly comply with the 2017 Fisheries Law and the Action Plans against IUU fishing issued by the Central Government, the province, and Sam Son City.

To date, 100% of the city's offshore fishing vessels have been equipped with vessel tracking devices. Notably, in recent years, Sam Son City has had no fishing vessels violating foreign waters. Pham Gia Son, owner of fishing vessel TH-92454-TS from Quang Tien ward, said: “When informed by authorities that my fishing vessel's license had expired more than 10 days ago and there was a high risk of violating regulations on combating IUU fishing, I reported it to the Thanh Hoa Fishing Port Management Board and was guided through the procedures for renewing my fishing vessel's registration. We feel comfortable complying with all fishing conditions and regulations, without having to evade them when venturing out to sea. Throughout our fishing trips, we comply with regulations, maintain the connection of our navigation equipment, and only operate in the permitted fishing areas. Before each trip out to sea, we notify and present documents and information to the fishing vessel inspection team at Lach Hoi Fishing Port one hour in advance so that officers can check the conditions according to regulations.”

According to a notice from the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, as of November 15th, there are still 5 fishing vessels in Sam Son City, ranging in length from 15m to 16.7m, whose fishing licenses have expired for more than 10 days and are at high risk of violating regulations on combating IUU (Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated) fishing. According to Lieutenant Colonel Luong Ba Thanh, Commander of the Sam Son Border Guard Station: "The unit is strengthening its forces to organize patrols and strictly control, resolutely preventing vessels without sufficient paperwork from leaving the port. The unit is also organizing awareness campaigns for owners of vessels that do not meet the operating requirements in Sam Son City to move to designated anchorage areas and sign commitments with each vessel owner to voluntarily move to anchorage areas as instructed by the authorities and not participate in fishing until all necessary paperwork is completed. Currently, the unit continues to coordinate with the local authorities to intensify propaganda and encourage vessel owners to sign commitments to strictly comply with regulations on fishing; to keep track of information and locations of fishing vessels operating at sea within its jurisdiction to urge vessel owners to renew their paperwork or anchor in storm shelters until all necessary procedures and paperwork are completed before participating in fishing."

Text and photos: Hai Dang

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/sam-son-tich-cuc-chong-khai-thac-iuu-233224.htm