Can Tho City joins hands with the whole country to fight IUU fishing

Marine exploitation has created jobs for thousands of workers in some coastal localities such as Tran De commune, Lich Hoi Thuong commune... in Soc Trang province (old), now Can Tho city. However, the fishing industry has been greatly affected since Vietnam was warned by the European Commission (EC) with a "Yellow Card" for IUU fishing (illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing). To remove the EC's "Yellow Card" warning, over the past years and at present, Soc Trang province (old), now Can Tho city, has always strived to implement the Party's policies, the State's laws and policies, as well as documents and directives of the Government and ministries on solutions to combat IUU fishing.

Action against IUU fishing

In recent years, Soc Trang province (old) has been very determined to implement measures to combat IUU fishing and after the merger, Can Tho city is still strengthening the implementation of removing the "EC Yellow Card" warning. According to data from the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Can Tho city, the city has a total of 795 fishing vessels operating at sea, of which 343 fishing vessels have the longest length of 15m or more, fully updated in the national fisheries database VNFishbase. The number of fishing vessels that have completed registration and granted fishing licenses is 795/795 fishing vessels, reaching 100%, with 343/343 fishing vessels installed with voyage monitoring devices reaching 100%. Along with that, each fishing vessel according to regulations has had its information data updated in the VNFishbase and VMS databases linked to the VNeID population database reaching 100%.

To ensure fishing vessels operate at sea in accordance with regulations, specialized units regularly check the records and procedures of fishing vessels when operating at sea.

At the same time, to effectively carry out the work of combating IUU fishing, the city's Department of Agriculture and Environment has coordinated with relevant units to organize 14 classes to disseminate the 2017 Fisheries Law; organize a conference to deploy Resolution 22/2020/ND-HDND of Soc Trang province (old) dated December 6, 2024 stipulating the policy of supporting satellite subscription fees for voyage monitoring equipment; organize 3 mock trials in 3 coastal localities. The city's fishing license issuance rate reached over 91%; completed registration, inspection, and issuance of fishing licenses for 100% of fishing vessels; 100% of fishing vessels with a length of 15m or more have installed voyage monitoring equipment.

In order to manage fishing vessels operating at sea and avoid illegal exploitation in foreign waters, the city's Department of Agriculture and Environment has requested the IUU Working Group to monitor the fishing vessel operation system 24/7 to promptly detect cases of disconnection and promptly notify the vessel owner. Directly inspect 45 fishing vessels operating at sea. At the same time, to ensure that fishing vessels entering and leaving the port are strictly controlled, the Department of Agriculture and Environment has confirmed 1,206 fishing vessels leaving the port; issued 714 receipts for loading and unloading aquatic products; issued 65 certificates of aquatic product origin and 5 certificates of aquatic product origin.

Regarding the prevention and handling of fishing vessels violating foreign waters, the city's Department of Agriculture and Environment coordinated with localities and relevant units to make a list of 13 fishing vessels (ship owners) at high risk of violating foreign waters; organized direct advocacy and propaganda for ship owners and had them sign a commitment not to violate... From the beginning of 2024 to now, Can Tho City has had no vessels illegally exploiting seafood in foreign waters, or fishing vessels crossing the border to operate in foreign waters.

Solutions against IUU fishing

Ms. Quach Thi Thanh Binh, Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Can Tho City, said: “To effectively implement the work of combating IUU fishing, the unit ensures a firm grasp of the current situation (number of vessels, fishing vessels whose registration and licenses have expired; fishing vessels that have been transferred, bought and sold, or deregistered...). Organize work, directly guide each vessel owner through registration procedures, grant licenses, and update 100% of fishing vessel data into the national fisheries database (VNFishbase). Monitor and supervise 100% of fishing vessels operating at sea through the fishing vessel monitoring system, clearly understand and strictly handle each case of violation of regulations on loss of VMS connection. Ensure that 100% of fishing vessels with a length of 15m or more entering and leaving ports, entering and leaving ports must have full documents, have VMS equipment installed, especially the VMS equipment on the vessel must operate continuously according to regulations. Manage and control 100% of fishing vessels from other provinces operating in the area discuss and implement a mechanism for sharing and exchanging information between relevant localities to promptly prevent and handle cases of IUU fishing violations.

At an online conference with coastal provinces and cities nationwide on implementing urgent measures to combat IUU fishing at the end of June 2025, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Phung Duc Tien requested that coastal localities with fishing vessels operating at sea must strictly manage the fishing fleet at sea; fishing vessels operating at sea with the prescribed length must install navigation devices, and the entire political system must be mobilized to resolutely combat IUU fishing. Consider strictly handling cases of fishing at sea that do not comply with regulations on fishing at sea; strictly manage and handle fishing vessels operating at sea in violation of foreign waters according to the law; monitor fishing output when ships dock at port. Remove difficulties in tracing the origin of aquatic and seafood products exploited at sea in localities. Resolutely punish acts of fishing at sea that violate regulations and laws; every month, localities must report on the situation of fishing at sea by the fleet; Closely coordinate with relevant ministries and branches to manage fishing fleets at sea.

Article and photos: THUY LIEU

Source: https://baocantho.com.vn/tp-can-tho-chung-tay-cung-ca-nuoc-chong-khai-thac-iuu-a188453.html