Focus on overcoming shortcomings in combating IUU fishing

Many efforts but still shortcomings

Since the beginning of the year, the whole province has had no fishing vessels violating foreign waters. To date, 3,414 fishing vessels have been registered and fully updated on the Vnfishbase system; 100% of qualified vessels have been marked and numbered according to regulations. Of the 630 fishing vessels with a length of 15m or more, 628 have been equipped with a voyage monitoring system (VMS), 602 have been granted food safety and hygiene certificates. Khanh Hoa is also a pioneer in implementing the electronic traceability system (eCDT), closely monitoring seafood processing and export activities. IUU violations are strictly handled, with 4 cases being fined, totaling 20 million VND.

Technicians of Nha Trang Coastal Information Station check the voyage monitoring equipment on fishing boats at Hon Ro port.

Despite many positive results, the fight against IUU fishing in localities in the province still has some shortcomings and limitations that need to be resolved soon. For example, in Nha Trang City - which has the largest fleet in the province with 1,405 vessels, there are still 3 vessels with expired fishing licenses, 127 vessels with expired registrations, 1 vessel without VMS, 6 vessels without food safety certificates for fishing vessels. In addition, there are 99 vessels regularly operating outside the province, 84 vessels have stopped connecting to VMS.

Through the review of the Department of Fisheries, Seas and Islands, the whole province currently has 4 vessels in the high-risk group for IUU violations, 126 vessels regularly operating outside the province, 22 vessels losing monitoring connection, 159 vessels losing VMS connection, 350 vessels with expired registration, 28 vessels that have not been granted or have expired food safety certificates for fishing vessels...

According to Mr. Nguyen Trong Chanh - Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment, it is expected that in October 2025, the EC Inspection Team will visit Vietnam for the 5th inspection. The current shortcomings, if not thoroughly resolved, will affect the province's overall efforts. The Department has requested functional units to coordinate with the People's Committees of coastal localities and relevant agencies to focus on thoroughly resolving the shortcomings and tightening control, resolutely not allowing fishing vessels that do not meet the conditions or have a high risk of IUU violations to go to sea.

Synchronously perform key tasks

To thoroughly overcome the shortcomings, coastal localities need to effectively carry out tasks such as: Dismantling inactive fishing vessels; updating the list of unqualified vessels, not allowing the existence of "3 no" vessels; managing fishing gear and equipment on vessels; needing to review and announce private fishing ports that are qualified to operate, ensuring the need to load and unload products through ports; closely monitoring ships leaving and arriving at ports; controlling output and origin of seafood via eCDT; requiring purchasing facilities to only operate at announced ports; fishing vessels must fully carry out procedures for leaving, arriving at ports, loading and unloading products at ports, entering and leaving border posts or stations...

Fishing boats anchored in Hon Ro port waters.

For groups of vessels at risk of violating foreign waters, it is necessary to make a list and strictly manage ship owners, fishermen who have violated, and vessels that frequently lose VMS connection; complete records, and strictly handle violations that arise. It is necessary to urgently complete the installation of VMS equipment for vessels that are lacking; coordinate with suppliers to provide technical support, deploy automatic location reporting when losing VMS connection at sea; organize 24/7 on-duty to monitor and warn of disconnections.

At a recent meeting on removing the EC's "yellow card" warning, Mr. Le Huu Hoang - Member of the Provincial Party Standing Committee, Permanent Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, Head of the Provincial IUU Steering Committee requested that departments, branches and localities need to be highly determined, effectively implement the work of combating IUU fishing, and carefully prepare for the EC inspection. In particular, focusing on handling existing problems in registration, licenses, journey monitoring, and traceability of aquatic products. The Department of Agriculture and Environment advised the Provincial People's Committee on a plan to effectively and efficiently resolve the EC's "yellow card" warning recommendations, with specific tasks assigned to relevant agencies and units. The People's Committees of districts, towns and cities directed the commune level to strictly control ship building and repair activities, absolutely not allowing the emergence of "3 no" fishing vessels; assigning local officials to be responsible for monitoring each vessel, requiring ship owners to fully carry out registration and inspection procedures, renew licenses, install and maintain VMS signals. For damaged, sold or transferred ships, it is necessary to guide the ship owner to complete the procedures for deregistration or name change according to regulations.

HAI LANG

Source: https://baokhanhhoa.vn/kinh-te/202505/tap-trung-khac-phuc-nhung-ton-tai-trong-chong-khai-thac-iuu-9fd5d37/