Ba Ria - Vung Tau (VNA) – The southern province of Ba Ria - Vung Tau has carried out drastic measures and exerted efforts to clamp down on illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing as an inspection team of the European Commission (EC) will visit Vietnam very soon.
The provincial People’s Committee has directed the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) to work closely with the Naval Region 2 Command, Coast Guard Regions 3 and 4 commands, and the fisheries surveillance force to get updated with the operation of fishing vessels, and detect, investigate and handle violations in a timely manner.
Besides, the province has joined hands with other coastal cities and provinces to deal with IUU fishing as Vietnam is striving to carry out the EC’s recommendations in this regard.
It set the target of all fishing vessels having their registration and marking completed, fishing licences issued, and vessel monitoring systems (VMS) installed as required by the EC.
To date, localities in Ba Ria - Vung Tau have completed registration for 1,140 that fall into the three-no category of no licenses, no registration, and operation without permissions. Meanwhile, the rate of vessels equipped with VMS devices, registered, and getting food safety certificates as well as fishing licenses has approximated 100%.
Port-in port-out inspections have been enhanced, ensuring that vessels from 15 metres in length must dock at designated ports, and all of the boats are monitored around the clock.
According to DARD Deputy Director Pham Thi Na, the department has asked local registration units to update fishing vessels’ information on the database, helping competent authorities better manage the fishing fleet.
The department will continue working to detect the vessels that lose VMS connection at sea for more than 10 days, and settle the cases in line with regulations, she said.
Raising public awareness of the significance of anti-IUU fishing, improving state management capacity in the area and sustainable fishery development, and harmoniously and effectively implementing related laws are among the key solutions for the province to help with nationwide efforts to have the EC’s “yellow card” warning removed this year./.
