Illustrative image (Photo: VNA) This is attributed to the local authorities' application of various measures against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, in a joint effort to get the European Commission (EC)'s 'yellow card' warning against Vietnamese seafood exports removed.
However, there still remains a risk of illegal fishing activities in foreign waters as many local fishing ships have been discovered engaging in removing and concealing their vessel monitoring systems (VMS).
Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Huynh Quoc Viet has ordered departments, sectors and localities to effectively perform the fight against IUU fishing, focusing on promoting information and communication campaigns to popularise relevant legal regulations and strictly handle illegal fishing cases in foreign waters.
Colonel Phung Duc Hung, Commander of the provincial Border Guard Command, said the force continues to maintain and enhance the effectiveness of the communication system, update fishing vessel data in the National Fisheries Database (VNFishbase), and monitor fishing vessels entering and exiting sea border stations.
They have collaborated with other law enforcement forces at sea and local authorities to strictly monitor and control offshore fishing vessels, and strengthen patrol activities, he said.
Ca Mau has over 4,100 fishing boats, including 1,500 with a length of 15 metres and above. Over the last 180-day peak period, units of the provincial Border Guard inspected more than 40,000 fishing boats entering and leaving seaports in the locality.
Nearly 4,000 local fishermen were provided with legal knowledge, and some 2,000 ship owners and captains urged to sign commitments to strictly adhere to the regulations regarding the fight against IUU fishing./.
VNA
