For national honor and long-term goals

These days, Thanh Hoa province is focusing on implementing drastic measures, along with the rest of the country, to resolutely combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing in order to pass the 5th inspection by the European Commission (EC) and lift the "yellow card" warning against Vietnamese seafood.

Fishermen in Quang Tien ward (Sam Son city) prepare their fishing gear to head out to sea and make a living from fishing.

Video : Activities of law enforcement agencies to combat IUU (Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated) fishing.

After many years of implementing measures to combat IUU fishing, relevant agencies and units of the province, along with coastal localities, have implemented urgent solutions to overcome existing shortcomings and limitations as recommended by the EC. In the first three months of 2024, following the direction of the Provincial Steering Committee on combating IUU fishing, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, in coordination with the People's Committees of districts, reviewed all fishing vessels in the area; reviewed and compiled information on licensed fishing vessels and "three-no" fishing vessels (no permits, no licenses, no permits ... and no permits) to report to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development as a basis for adjusting the fishing license quota for 2024.

Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Le Duc Giang inspects IUU (Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated) fishing efforts at Hoa Loc Fishing Port (Hau Loc District).

The relevant provincial forces also focused on verifying and handling cases of fishing vessels losing connection to their vessel monitoring systems (VMS) for more than 6 months, and fishing vessels 24 meters or longer losing connection at sea for more than 10 days. As of March 12th, authorities issued fines for 11 violations related to not maintaining VMS connection. The causes identified by the authorities included the vessel owner's failure to pay the VMS subscription fee, the captain turning off or disabling the device, technical faults, poor device quality, and in many cases, the cause was unclear.

Regardless of the time, the Border Guard forces of the province are actively patrolling and inspecting fishing vessels.

According to the owner of fishing vessel TH 90085 TS, Nguyen Van Trung, from Quang Cu ward (Sam Son city), "during a fishing trip in the Gulf of Tonkin in mid-February 2024, my vessel lost signal from the VMS device to the shore station. While fishing, the crew members focused on reeling in the nets and storing the seafood, unaware that the vessel had lost VMS connectivity. When the vessel returned to Lach Hoi fishing port, the authorities came down to verify the cause and issued a report on the act of disconnecting the VMS on the fishing vessel. Following this incident, I contacted the VMS equipment supplier to have the equipment checked and maintained to ensure stable operation, giving us more peace of mind each time we go out to sea."

The thorough handling of fishing vessels disconnected from VMS and the verification of fishing vessel registration certificates, fishing licenses, technical safety certificates, fishing logbooks, and vessel markings are among the contents that the EC inspection team recommended localities seriously implement during the 4th inspection. Aware of this, fisherman Vien Dinh Quyen, from Quang Cu ward (Sam Son city) - owner of fishing vessel TH 93626 TS with a capacity of 823 HP specializing in fishing in the Gulf of Tonkin fishing grounds, said: "Before each trip out to sea, we notify and present documents and information to the Fishing Vessel Control Team at Lach Hoi Fishing Port one hour in advance so that officers can check the conditions according to regulations. We feel comfortable complying with all fishing conditions and regulations, without having to evade or hide when going out to sea. Before the vessel returns to port after fishing, we notify the Port Management Board and present our logbook. Throughout the trip..." During our fishing operations, we comply with regulations to maintain VMS equipment connectivity and only operate within permitted fishing zones."

Fishermen in Ngu Loc commune (Hau Loc district) are preparing to set sail.

With the province's determination to "reach the finish line" in combating IUU fishing, the percentage of fishing vessels 15 meters or longer equipped with VMS devices has reached 100%; and the percentage of fishing vessels marked according to regulations has also reached 100%. Thanks to the province's decisive directives, some coastal localities considered "hot spots" for fishing vessels at risk of violating IUU fishing regulations have been largely rectified. Fishermen's awareness of combating IUU fishing has significantly improved, and for many years, no fishing vessels violating foreign waters have been seized in coastal localities. Along with relevant departments and forces of the province, the coastal districts, towns, and cities have focused on deploying personnel to coordinate with border guard posts and stations along the coast, and the Fisheries Sub-department to review and verify fishing vessels that have lost VMS device connectivity, closely monitoring the situation of fishing vessels in the locality down to each fishing household. In addition, localities have plans to closely manage and monitor fishing vessels at high risk of violating IUU fishing regulations, especially those with "three no's" (no permits, no documents, no safety certifications), and those docked ashore... ensuring that they provide complete information and images to prove their activities when requested.

Authorities inspect the vessel tracking devices on fishing boats.

Mr. Trinh Cao Son, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Hau Loc District, said: "During the peak period of combating IUU fishing, the district directed coastal communes and implemented many solutions simultaneously. Fishermen have clearly understood their responsibility in combating illegal, IUU fishing. The entire district has 555 fishing vessels operating in three areas: offshore, inshore, and coastal. 100% of fishing vessels with a hull length from 6 to under 12 meters have been granted fishing licenses according to regulations; 83 fishing vessels of unknown origin have been numbered for management. After more than 10 days of reviewing fishing vessels by working groups in the district, 28 fishing vessels have been registered; 53 fishing vessels have had their vessel tracking devices reactivated."

The district is directing the communes of Ngu Loc, Hoa Loc, Minh Loc, etc., to monitor the volume of aquatic products passing through fishing ports managed by the district, private or traditional fishing wharves, natural anchorage areas, etc. The district's Steering Committee for Combating IUU Fishing is coordinating with relevant forces to prevent fishing vessels 15 meters or longer from unloading aquatic products at fishing ports, unauthorized loading points, and wharves that are not designated fishing ports. In addition, it requires vessel owners to affix license plates according to regulations, ensuring that license plates are not faded or temporary license plates are displayed...".

Fishermen in Minh Loc commune (Hau Loc district) transport seafood.

Recognizing that marine fisheries are one of the key areas in the province's marine economic development, the Provincial Steering Committee on Combating IUU Fishing continuously organizes intensive patrols, inspections, and communication campaigns to disseminate legal regulations on fisheries exploitation and combat illegal fishing at sea.

Video: Mr. Cao Van Cuong, Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, affirms stricter control over IUU fishing.

Patrol and inspection activities involving fishing vessels in river and estuary areas.

With the highest level of preparation for the fourth inspection, as well as the determination, efforts, and achievements of the entire province in addressing the EC's recommendations, contributing to the nationwide effort to soon lift the "yellow card" on fisheries, ensuring the interests of the people and protecting Vietnam's position and image on the international stage.

Reporters Team

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/kinh-te/vi-muc-tieu-go-the-vang-iuu-bai-3-vi-danh-du-quoc-gia-va-nhung-muc-tieu-lau-dai/209464.htm