Resolutely deploy solutions to combat IUU fishing

The delegation inspected the activities at the Fishing Port and the Fisheries Control Team at the fishing port. The members of the working group focused on checking the records of ships arriving and departing from the port, fishing logs, monitoring output, and checking the handling of administrative violations against violating ships. Through the inspection, the members of the working group noted the achievements, pointed out the shortcomings and limitations, and instructed the professional force to promptly overcome them, preparing to welcome the EC Inspection Delegation to Vietnam in the near future.

Reporting on the situation of combating IUU fishing, the leader of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development said that over the past time, the entire political system has actively participated and closely coordinated in directing and implementing the work of combating IUU fishing. Thereby, the limitations and shortcomings in IUU fishing have been gradually overcome. Since the beginning of 2024, the province has not had any fishing vessels detained or handled by foreign countries.

The province currently has more than 3,000 registered fishing vessels, of which more than 2,000 are 15 meters or longer. Dissemination of laws related to fishing at sea is regularly organized, helping boat owners and fishermen raise awareness and voluntarily comply with regulations. Management of the area and monitoring of fishermen are carried out quite well, ensuring timely investigation and handling of violations.

Provincial leaders have proposed that the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development consider removing problems with registering fishing vessels under the “3 no” category to help fishermen and vessel owners soon stabilize production and life.

After listening to the report and understanding the situation, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Phung Duc Tien assessed that Ben Tre has great potential for fisheries, however, in recent times, the province's IUU implementation has not had many changes as expected. At the same time, he requested the province to focus on completing the registration and management of "3 no" vessels according to the instructions of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development; strictly handle violating vessels. Strengthen the monitoring of fishing vessels at sea, properly manage fishing vessels that lose connection to monitoring their journeys; properly manage and firmly grasp the number of fishing vessels.

Resolutely implement solutions to combat IUU fishing, maintain the achieved results, strive to complete the targets on fishing vessel inspection and issuance of fishing licenses. At the same time, overcome the limitations and shortcomings in performing tasks according to the assessment of the working group. In particular, it is necessary to promote the responsibility of local leaders in combating IUU fishing in the context of Directive 32-CT/TW of the Secretariat.

It is known that the whole province of Ben Tre has 2,084/2,373 inspected vessels, reaching 87.82%; 289 uninspected vessels. Licensed vessels are 2,432/3,026, reaching 80.37%; 594 unlicensed vessels. Particularly, fishing vessels under the "3 no" category (not registered, not inspected, not licensed) have registered 263, reaching 23.54%. The province has 2,006/2,034 fishing vessels subject to mandatory installation of monitoring equipment, reaching 98.62%, of which 28 vessels have not installed monitoring equipment.

Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Tran Ngoc Tam accepted the opinions of the working group and committed to correcting shortcomings and limitations. In the near future, the province will hold a conference to launch a peak period to continue implementing tasks and creating positive changes in combating IUU fishing.

On the same day, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Phung Duc Tien conducted a survey and on-site inspection of the project on technical infrastructure investment for a high-tech shrimp farming area in Ba Tri district (project). At the meeting, the delegation was interested in learning more about the project's information and progress. It is known that the project has a total investment of 164 billion VND, including traffic infrastructure with 6 roads, 1 bridge, 18 culverts, and construction of a new 3-phase medium voltage line of more than 24km.

Source: https://www.mard.gov.vn/Pages/trien-khai-quyet-liet-cac-giai-phap-chong-khai-thac-iuu.aspx