Coastal localities unleash all-out campaigns to eradicate IUU fishing

Fishing boats anchor at My Tan Port in Ninh Thuan province. (Photo: VNA)

HCM City (VNA) – Coastal localities across the country have simultaneously launched peak campaigns against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing in an attempt to reel in the "yellow card" warning enforced by the European Commission (EC).

In the Mekong Delta province of Kien Giang, which has the largest number of fishing vessels, the provincial People’s Committee has asked authorised agencies to speed up the installation of the eCDT software for electronically tracing the origin of fish catches on vessels, and strengthen control of those entering and leaving ports.

At the same time, local authorities have increased patrols, strictly handled cases of IUU fishing violations, and monitored 100% of seafood loading and unloading activities in two designated fishing ports as well as local fishing wharves.

To date, 100% of vessels have been registered, with their data fully updated in the national fisheries database (VNFishbase). Kien Giang has checked and granted licences to 2,708 fishing vessels previously unregistered, unexamined and unlicensed, according to Vice Chairman of the provincial People's Committee Lam Minh Thanh.

Meanwhile, in Ca Mau, another in the Mekong Delta, the provincial People’s Committee has built an action plan, mobilised forces and instructed authorities in vessel management while encouraging fishermen to sign commitments not to break anti-IUU fishing rules.

It has implemented digitalisation for 100% of vessels with expired fishing licences and registrations, as well as disconnected vehicles, those sold but not yet registered, and the ones crossing the border.

Director of the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Phan Hoang Vu said that Ca Mau has applied drastic measures against IUU fishing, with specific tasks assigned to agencies and localities.

Joining hands with the whole country in the work, the southern province of Ba Ria - Vung Tau has set up a specialised committee to combat IUU fishing.

The province's Border Guard Command also established a specialised group as part of this committee to help with the fight. The force has mobilised three boat crews, three canoes and 25 officers to focus on reviewing and verifying vessel records, thoroughly handle cases of violations, and not allow vessels without sufficient documents to leave ports, said Colonel Dang Cao Dat, Commander of the Ba Ria - Vung Tau Border Guard.

As of September 20, the province recorded 4,345 fishing vessels. There are currently 826 fishing boats whose data that have not been updated as they have been sold outside the province, sunk or rotted.

The EC is scheduled to come to Vietnam for the fifth inspection of the IUU fishing combat this October. Therefore, it's now the peak time for the country to address the problems pointed out by the EC so as to have the "yellow card" lifted./.

VNA