Effective implementation of recommendations on combating IUU fishing

(Baothanhhoa.vn) - To work with the whole country to remove the "yellow card" for illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, Thanh Hoa province has been determined and mobilized the participation of the entire political system and fishing community. Thanks to that, the implementation of the four groups of recommendations of the European Commission (EC) on combating IUU fishing has had many positive changes.

Authorities inspect fishing vessels operating at sea.

At the online briefing conference on combating IUU fishing in June 2025, Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment Nguyen Duc Cuong stated that in the first six months of 2025, Thanh Hoa province had implemented comprehensive and effective solutions to combat IUU fishing and the recommendations of the EC, such as: organizing the management and cleaning of fishing vessel data on the national fisheries database system Vnfishbase; implementing a coordination mechanism for cross-checking and cleaning data to serve the identification of fishing vessels; reviewing and compiling a list of fishing vessels whose administrative procedures have expired or are about to expire. Simultaneously, inter-agency coordination was carried out to conduct patrols and inspections at sea, in river mouths and estuaries to check, control, and handle vessels violating or at risk of violating IUU regulations. With these actions, the province has basically controlled and minimized violations of regulations on combating IUU fishing.

In reality, through intensified propaganda and regular patrols, inspections, and strict penalties for IUU fishing, fishermen's awareness of combating IUU fishing has been increasingly raised. Understanding the regulations on combating IUU fishing, Mr. Duong Van Cong, from Nam Sam Son ward, owner of the vessel TH-90808, always keeps his vessel tracking device on and, after each fishing trip, registers his arrival information with the Thanh Hoa Fishing Port Management Board one hour in advance. Mr. Cong said: "Turning on the vessel tracking device helps authorities record the fishing journey, both managing the vessel and verifying the origin of the harvested products. After each fishing trip, our vessel always declares its arrival before docking to facilitate mooring, monitoring the catch at the dock, and tracing the origin of the seafood. This ensures both effective inspection and supervision by relevant authorities and facilitates the sale of harvested products by fishermen and vessel owners.”

To join hands with the whole country in implementing the EC's recommendations, including: perfecting the legal framework; strengthening the management of fishing vessels; controlling the traceability of harvested seafood; and handling fishing vessels violating regulations in foreign waters, Thanh Hoa province is resolutely and seriously implementing the Central Government's directives on combating IUU fishing. The province continues to promote the dissemination of regulations of the Fisheries Law and its implementing guidelines, as well as regulations on combating IUU fishing, to every official, Party member, organization, and individual involved, especially fishing vessel owners, captains, and fishermen. The focus is on regulations regarding registration, issuance of fishing licenses, installation and operation of vessel tracking devices, marking of fishing vessels, and recording and submission of fishing logs as required for offshore fishing vessels. As the standing agency of the Steering Committee for Combating IUU Fishing in Thanh Hoa province, the Department of Agriculture and Environment is focusing its efforts on working with localities to regularly inspect and review the situation to ensure a thorough understanding of the number of fishing vessels that have or have not yet been registered, inspected, or licensed; fishing vessels that have been transferred, bought, sold, or deregistered; and fishing vessels operating outside the province...

Thanh Hoa province currently has 6,063 fishing vessels, of which 1,062 are 15 meters or longer and regularly operate in offshore waters. Thanks to regular dissemination of regulations against IUU fishing, 100% of registered fishing vessels have been marked, and 99.44% have installed vessel tracking devices. In addition, the province's authorities constantly monitor 100% of fishing vessels operating at sea through the vessel monitoring system, identifying and strictly handling each case of violation of regulations regarding loss of vessel tracking connectivity. In particular, they inspect and manage groups of fishing vessels at high risk of violating IUU fishing regulations.

In recent years, although there have been no fishing vessels violating foreign waters, the risk remains. Therefore, the province has identified the task of combating IUU fishing as a top priority, both urgent and ongoing, making a significant contribution to the country's efforts to lift the IUU "yellow card" and develop the fisheries sector effectively and sustainably.

Text and photos: Thanh Hoa

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/thuc-hien-hieu-qua-nhung-khuyen-nghi-ve-chong-khai-thac-iuu-255035.htm