Binh Thuan closely monitors vessel fleet to fight IUU fishing

Binh Thuan (VNA) – The south-central province of Binh Thuan has taken strong measures against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, and especially seriously implemented the European Commission (EC)’s recommendations on fishing fleet monitoring.

The province has considered the IUU fishing combat a leading important task, which requires the engagement of the entire political system, and leaders of departments, agencies and localities to uphold their responsibility.

The provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development reported that since a case of a fishing boat with seven fishermen abroad encroaching upon foreign waters was detected earlier this year, no similar violations have been found.

The result is attributable to the drastic and harmonious deployment of measures by competent agencies and localities, with due attention paid to the vessels at a high risk of violating fishing regulations.

Officials at the fishing vessel monitoring centre have worked round the clock, while all of the fishing vessels in the province have been under review, which figured out those without registrations and operational licences to be punished in line with regulations.

As of September 29, all of the fishing boats measuring at least 15 metres in length completed the installation of the vessel monitoring system (VMS).

Competent forces have also inspected vessels and their output handled at fishing ports, as well as their seafood traceability.

The provincial fisheries sub-department said since the beginning of this year, it has handled 320 cases of violating fishing regulations and imposed fines worth more than 2.9 billion VND (118,959 USD).

Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Nguyen Hong Hai said Binh Thuan will continue seriously implementing tasks and solutions against IUU fishing in the time ahead, and prepare for the fourth inspection by the EC this month, joining national efforts in removing the “yellow card” warning on Vietnamese seafood.

The EC delegation, expected to include representatives from the Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (DG MARE) and the EC Delegation in Vietnam, will come to Vietnam for the IUU fishing issue from October 10-18./.