“Sprint” time to complete the indicators on combating IUU fishing

By the end of October 2025, localities and functional forces of Lam Dong province must overcome existing shortcomings and limitations, and complete the indicators on combating illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. Thereby, contributing to removing the IUU yellow card warning in the 5th inspection by the European Commission (EC) and promoting sustainable development of the fisheries sector.

Fisheries surveillance forces coordinate with Border Guards to inspect ship owners on the implementation of procedures related to IUU.

Resolutely handle existing problems related to IUU

Along with the whole country, Lam Dong province is entering the "final" period of the peak month against IUU fishing under the direction of the Prime Minister. In particular, focusing on maximum resources to completely handle fishing vessels that violate the law and lose connection. At the same time, reviewing and making a list of damaged fishing vessels, abandoned, no longer in operation, sold out of the area... and must complete it by October 2025.

To achieve maximum effectiveness, Mr. Nguyen Van Chien - Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment, Deputy Head of the Provincial IUU Steering Committee said that recently, departments, branches, especially the People's Committees of communes, wards, and areas with fishing vessels, together with the functional forces of the province, have urgently joined the fight against IUU fishing. In particular, focusing on handling cases of fishing vessels violating foreign waters and losing connection to the voyage monitoring device (VMS). In the past few days, regardless of Saturday and Sunday, day and night, coastal localities, with the active support of the fisheries control force, border guards and police, have resolutely and urgently handled the recommendations made by the EC. In particular, the provincial interdisciplinary working group has organized inspections and assessments of the situation and responsibilities of localities with many fishing vessels that are not qualified to operate and the backlog of cases of fishing vessels losing connection to VMS that have not been verified and handled.

In Phan Thiet ward, where 55 fishing boats have expired fishing licenses, the ward People's Committee has verified and handled them. Ms. Le Thi Bich Hoai - owner of boat BTh 98906 TS, Phan Thiet ward said: "Her boat has been on shore for many years and was sold in parts. Up to now, the family has been directly guided by the local authorities on the procedures to cancel the fishing boat's registration."

According to the Department of Agriculture and Environment, as of October 27, the province had 7,385/8,298 fishing vessels with valid fishing licenses, reaching 89%; the remaining 913 vessels had expired. For the group of vessels with a length of 12 m or more, 3,243/3,919 vessels had valid inspection, while 676 vessels had expired. The province is continuing to deploy a peak period of support and guidance for fishermen to complete the procedures for deregistration, inspection and issuance of fishing licenses for expired fishing vessels, striving to complete before October 30, 2025.

Determined to "reach the finish line"

Mr. Do Huu Phuoc - Vice Chairman of Phan Thiet Ward People's Committee said that in recent times, the ward has continued to thoroughly grasp, propagate and disseminate laws on fisheries, and prevent and combat IUU fishing. However, the number of fishing vessels that have not re-registered their fishing licenses and have not renewed their inspections is still there, because some owners have sold the vessels but have not transferred their names or the owners are not currently in the locality.

In addition, some fishermen have not cooperated in providing full information to avoid registration and inspection. Meanwhile, others have given up, thinking that their boats are parked on shore, not operating, waiting to be sold, so they do not continue to register for licenses and inspection.

Therefore, the locality is continuing to assign the police to verify and find ship owners who are not local and work with ship owners who have sold without completing the name change procedures.

Faced with the urgency of preventing and combating IUU fishing and the need to complete it by October 2025, at an extraordinary working session on IUU with relevant departments, branches and localities in the coastal area on October 28, Member of the Provincial Party Standing Committee, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Le Trong Yen said that currently, the province is building a modern and sustainable fisheries and aquaculture sector, ensuring strict compliance with international and European Union regulations on combating illegal fishing. To achieve good results, it is recommended that departments, branches and localities focus on synchronously implementing solutions to control, register and inspect fishing vessels. On the other hand, develop a policy to support the livelihoods of fishermen, especially ship owners who are not qualified to operate nearshore, in accordance with the direction of the Prime Minister ...

To proactively prepare for the 5th EC Delegation to visit Vietnam (expected in November 2025), this is the "sprint" time to complete the indicators on combating IUU fishing. Therefore, the entire political system in the province needs to join hands to combat IUU fishing. Especially the border guards and fisheries surveillance forces must strengthen strict control of fishing vessels, resolutely not allowing unqualified vessels to go to sea. Localities continue to promote propaganda and instruct fishermen to comply with regulations and not violate foreign waters.

Source: https://baolamdong.vn/thoi-diem-nuoc-rut-de-hoan-thanh-cac-chi-so-ve-chong-khai-thac-iuu-398843.html