Da Nang increases trace of fishery origins

Da Nang (VNA) – The People’s Committee of Da Nang has promulgated a plan on fisheries inspection across the central city to ensure the origins of aquatic products.

Agencies will intensify examination of the departure and arrival of vessels at Tho Quang fishing port and handle violations of fisheries law in water areas under the management of the city.

Authorities will set up a Fisheries Control Office to make risk assessment and inspection criteria to prevent illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing activities as instructed by the European Commission (EC).

The municipal People’s Committee entrusted the Department of Agriculture and Rural to work with the Border Guards Command and relevant agencies to establish the Fisheries Control Office and build coordination regulations to ensure round-the-clock inspection and control of fishing vessels.

Realising the importance of obeying regulations from European markets, the municipal Department of Agriculture and Rural Development have worked with agencies to help fishermen work legally.

The department has coordinated with the Border Guards Command and People’s Committees in districts to open classes for 20 aquatic export businesses and nearly 400 fishermen who are ship owners or captains to disseminate new regulations of Law on Fisheries 2017, IUU prevention activities and certification of aquatic products, among others.

According to the management board of Tho Quang fishing port, Tho Quang fisheries market has conducted more than 7,000 origin declarations on a total of 25,000 tonnes of seafood since the beginning of this year.

In October 2017, the EC issued a yellow card warning Vietnam for failing to progress in fighting IUU fishing. 

The EU will assess Vietnam’s efforts to fight IUU fishing. The "yellow card" is followed by a "green card" if the problem is resolved or a "red card" if it isn’t. A “red card” can lead to a trade ban on fishery products.

A working delegation of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries began a fact-finding trip to Vietnam on May 15 to inspect the implementation of recommendations related to the fight against IUU fishing.-VNA