Identifying combating IUU fishing as a priority and urgent political task

Since May, the whole province has continuously organized peak periods to carry out key and urgent tasks to combat IUU fishing, preparing to work with the EC Delegation to Vietnam for the 4th time in October 2023.

Thereby, it has strictly controlled and monitored fishing vessels and fishermen from violating foreign waters through the implementation of strong measures. The Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee has issued a decision to administratively sanction 2 fishing vessels violating foreign waters, with a fine of 900 million VND for each violation. Completed 100% of the installation of VMS equipment for operating fishing vessels and promoted the fishing vessel monitoring system to monitor and warn fishing vessels from violating Vietnam's maritime boundaries. Conducted a general review and statistics of existing fishing vessels and increased the rate of registered fishing vessels, granted fishing licenses, and inspected. Strengthened law enforcement and strictly handled violations of IUU fishing. However, the work of preventing and combating IUU fishing still has many shortcomings.

Conduct a general review and inventory of existing fishing vessels and increase the rate of registered and licensed fishing vessels. (Photo: N. Lan)

Therefore, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Nguyen Hong Hai has just requested that in the coming time, agencies, units and localities continue to synchronously and drastically implement the task of preventing and combating IUU fishing according to the direction of the Central Government and the province. Heads of agencies, units and localities directly lead, direct and take responsibility; identifying combating IUU fishing as a priority, urgent and regular long-term political task to develop responsible and sustainable fisheries.

Closely monitor high-risk offshore fishing vessels (photo: N. Lan)

In particular, it is important to focus on implementing all measures to prevent and resolutely prevent fishing vessels in the province from violating illegal fishing in foreign waters, from now until October 2023. Regularly review, compile statistics, and put into management, especially monitoring high-risk fishing vessels, strictly manage captains and fishermen who have violated illegal fishing and were arrested and released by foreign countries to promptly detect and prevent re-offending. Continue to investigate and verify fishing vessels that have been arrested by foreign countries and organizations and individuals who have brokered and colluded to bring fishing vessels and fishermen to illegally exploit seafood in foreign waters to handle according to regulations.

Strictly manage the number of unregistered fishing vessels through review, not allowing new ones to arise.

In addition, continue to carry out the peak period of registration, inspection, and licensing of fishing in the whole province and fully update it into the national fishing vessel database VNFishbase. For "3-digit" fishing vessels managed by the district level and the number of fishing vessels that have been registered but have expired fishing licenses and inspections, urgently complete re-registration before September 30, 2023. Strictly manage the number of fishing vessels that have not been registered through inspection, not allowing new ones to arise. 24/7 control of fishing vessels with a length of 15 meters or more that have installed VMS equipment on the fishing vessel monitoring system. Notify and remind ship owners to promptly fix the problem of losing VMS signal connection when operating at sea; closely monitor the number of fishing vessels that have not installed VMS on shore, not allowing them to operate at sea. Resolutely do not allow fishing vessels that do not ensure procedures and conditions for operation to leave port for fishing; strictly handle violations.

In particular, it is necessary to investigate, verify, and resolutely handle fishing vessels that violate foreign waters in 2022 and 1 case in early 2023; fishing vessels that do not maintain VMS signals when operating at sea as prescribed, fishing vessels that cross maritime boundaries (especially fishing vessels 24 meters or longer). Require the Fisheries Surveillance force to coordinate with the Border Guard to continue to conduct patrols, inspections, and controls at peak times from now until October 2023, especially at fishing ports and fishing wharves. Resolutely handle "3 no" fishing vessels, fishing vessels entering and leaving ports without notification, not submitting fishing logs, etc.

Strengthen patrolling, inspection and control from now until October 2023. (Photo: N. Lan)

In particular, the Provincial Border Guard Command focuses on studying the administrative sanctions against fishing vessel BTh 96328 TS (Ham Tan district) at the request of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. In case there is not enough basis for sanction, a specific report must be made on the reasons, opinions must be sought from the Department of Justice and the Provincial Police, and the content must be completed and submitted to the Provincial People's Committee before September 28, 2023. The Fisheries Sub-Department must report specific results of verification and handling of 5 cases of fishing vessels over 24 meters long, losing VMS connection for more than 10 days before September 28, 2023.
It is necessary to strictly control fishing vessels entering and leaving the port, monitor the volume of aquatic products loaded and unloaded through the port, confirm and certify the origin of aquatic products according to regulations...

Mr. VAN

Source: https://baobinhthuan.com.vn/xac-dinh-chong-khai-thac-iuu-la-nhiem-vu-chinh-tri-uu-tien-cap-bach-112499.html