Khanh Hoa takes drastic measures against IUU fishing

Illustrative photo (Photo: VNA)

Khanh Hoa (VNA) – The south-central province of Khanh Hoa has been taking measures to fight illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing and preparing for a visit of an inspection team from the European Commission (EC).

Up to now, all data on fishing vessels in the province has been updated on the national fishing vessel management system. Up to 99.8% of the fishing vessels in the province have been licenced for fishing and 96.9% of the vessels have been granted certificates of food safety and hygiene. All fishing vessels with a length of 6m or more have been marked following legal regulations.

Up to 99.2% of the 679 vessels with a length of 15m or above operating in offshore waters have been installed vessel monitoring devices.

Since the beginning of this year, a total of 3,394 vessels traversing via ports have been strictly examined. More than 5,970 tonnes of seafood were inspected when transported via ports; 58 batches with an output of more than 2,000 tonnes had their origin verified; and 52 batches with an output of 616 tonnes received aquaculture exploitation certificates.

However, one vessel and six crew members have been arrested by Malaysian authorities.

In the province, 137 vessels are not connected to the vessel monitoring system (VMS), which causes difficulties in management; while five vessels have not installed vessel monitoring devices.

To overcome the difficulties, the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development requested the provincial Border Guard Command verify and handle cases of fishing vessels losing VMS connections. Relevant units and agencies are asked to tighten control of vessels that enter/leave fishing ports.

Vessels that fail to meet regulations will not be allowed to enter or leave the ports.

According to the Khanh Hoa Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, to strengthen the fight against IUU fishing, especially to end the situation of fishing vessels violating foreign waters, the provincial steering committee for combating IUU fishing requires departments, branches, and localities to continue to strengthen communication activities, especially to owners and captains of offshore fishing vessels./.