Continue to effectively implement solutions to combat IUU fishing

(Baothanhhoa.vn) - On the morning of June 19, the National Steering Committee on Combating Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing held a conference to deploy urgent measures to combat IUU fishing. The conference was connected online to the connecting points of ministries, branches and coastal localities across the country. Comrade Phung Duc Tien, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment, chaired the conference.

A panoramic view of the live broadcast location in Thanh Hoa province.

Attending the event via video link from Thanh Hoa province were representatives from the Department of Agriculture and Environment and other departments, agencies, and localities.

After nearly 8 years (since October 23, 2017) of implementing measures to combat IUU fishing, lifting the European Commission's (EC) "Yellow Card" warning, implementing Directive No. 32-CT/TW dated April 10, 2024 of the Party Central Committee, Resolution No. 52/NQ-CP dated April 22, 2024 of the Government, the directives of the Prime Minister , the Head of the National Steering Committee on combating IUU fishing, and the recommendations of the EC through inspections... To date, the work of combating IUU fishing has achieved some noteworthy results, such as: Completing the legal framework; installing vessel tracking systems (VMS); building a national fisheries database...

The meeting point at the National Steering Committee on Combating IUU Fishing. (screenshot).

In particular, law enforcement and the handling of IUU fishing activities have seen significant progress. Specifically, penalties for IUU fishing violations, especially those related to VMS disconnection and illegal fishing in foreign waters, have been further strengthened.

At the conference, representatives from ministries, sectors, and localities exchanged views on some shortcomings and limitations in the implementation of the task of combating IUU fishing; and discussed and proposed solutions for continued implementation in the coming time, such as: Strengthening communication and dissemination of regulations on fisheries exploitation, completing the management of the fishing fleet, decisively dealing with fishing vessels that lack proper documentation (no permits, no inspections, no safety standards, etc.); launching a high-intensity campaign of patrols and inspections to decisively handle violations of fishing regulations...

Delegates attending at the Thanh Hoa province venue.

Delegates attending at the Thanh Hoa province venue.

Concluding the conference, the National Steering Committee on Combating IUU Fishing requested ministries, sectors, and localities to continue effectively implementing the work of combating IUU fishing to complete the targets for fishing vessel registration, prevent and put an end to fishing vessels violating regulations; definitively resolve existing shortcomings and limitations as recommended by the EC, and achieve the goal of "removing the yellow card" as directed by the Party Central Committee, the Government, the Prime Minister, and the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment .

Authorities need to strengthen the management of fishing vessel owners and inspect, control, and monitor fishing vessel operations at sea and in and out of ports, and decisively handle cases of vessels violating regulations to prevent IUU fishing.

Over the past period, Thanh Hoa province has implemented comprehensive and decisive measures to combat IUU (Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated) fishing. As a result, the awareness of fishermen, organizations, and individuals regarding the Fisheries Law and its implementing regulations has improved and shown positive changes. However, illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing still occurs.

From the beginning of 2025 to the present, the Department of Agriculture and Environment has established working groups to conduct three inspection campaigns on combating IUU (Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated) fishing and coordinated with functional forces to patrol and control at sea, estuaries, and fishing ports. Accordingly, the inspection teams have detected and recorded violations in 79 cases with a total fine of over 880 million VND. At the same time, they have strictly implemented the monitoring of fishing vessel activities through the VMS system, monitored the catch volume of harvested seafood, and managed fishing vessels...

Le Hoa

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/tiep-tuc-trien-khai-co-hieu-qua-cac-giai-phap-chong-khai-thac-iuu-252624.htm