Phu Yen (VNA) – Authorities in the south central coastal province of Phu Yen have tightened the control of the entry and exit of fishing vessels at ports to prevent unqualified boats from exploitation activities, so no violations relating to illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing have been recorded in the locality since 2019.
The move is part of the joint efforts to have the European Commission (EC)’s “yellow card” warning against Vietnamese seafood exports removed soon.
According to Ha Vien, director of Phu Yen province’s fishing port management board, all fishing vessels are inspected when arriving and leaving local ports, adding that only those that show necessary documents are allowed to operate at sea.
The management board’s staff members also conduct communications activities to raise awareness on the matter as well as preventing fishermen from committing violations in offshore areas.
Currently, fishermen are complying very well with regulations when leaving and entering the ports, and fully implement requirements relating to vessel monitoring system (VMS). However, it is necessary for them to improve their skills in recording fishing log books to facilitate the authority’s management.
Fishermen in the region have complied with regulations on IUU fishing prevention and control. The provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has established four representative offices to inspect and control fisheries at four fishing ports, namely Tien Chau (Tuy An district), Dan Phuoc (Song Cau town), Phu Lac (Dong Hoa township) and Dong Tac (Tuy Hoa city). These offices are assigned to examine fishing vessels arriving and leaving ports and monitor their locations when operating at sea through the surveillance system.
Since the beginning of this year, the offices have dealt with 71 violations relating to the loss of connection. Competent agencies have also levied penalties on 14 cases for not registering their vessels or not using electric shock tools to exploit aquatic products. Fines worth 143.5 million VND (5,640 USD) were given out to offenders.
Dao Quang Minh, Head of the Sub-Department of Fisheries of Phu Yen province, said the province regularly reviews and compiles a list of fishing boats at high-risk of violating IUU fishing and notifies them to relevant agencies for monitoring and handling violations.
Authorised agencies have coordinated with the Coast Guard Region 3 Command and the provincial Border Guard Command to conduct inspections and supervise fishing vessels operating at sea, thereby enhancing their knowledge on IUU fishing prevention and control. As a result, no local vessel has been arrested or dealt by foreign countries since 2019, he noted./.
