Quang Ngai (VNA) – Authorities in the central province of Quang Ngai have handled registration procedures for 750 fishing vesels, of which 500 units have been licensed.
Efforts are underway to complete the registration of all remaining vessels by the end of 2024.
The move is part of the locality’s efforts to fight illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing following the European Commission (EC) recommendations, aiming to help lift the “yellow card” warning against Vietnam’s seafood exports and ensure the sustainable development of the fisheries sector.
The province's sub-department of fisheries reported that 74.4% of local vessels now have fishing licenses, including nearly 81% of the ones 15m long and over. Their information have also been updated on the National Fisheries Database.
Besides, local authorities are tightening port control to prevent unregistered vessels and those failing to comply with regulations from fishing, said head of the fisheries sub-department Nguyen Van Muoi.
Quang Ngai has five fishing ports eligible for certifying seafood origin, including Tinh Ky, Tinh Hoa, Ly Son, My A and Sa Huynh, each equipped with a fishery control team. These teams inspect vessels entering and leaving ports, enforce regulations, and address violations.
Border guards stationed at these ports are also conducting regular patrols to manage "three-no's" vessels (no registration, no examination, no fishing licenses), Muoi added.
Major Ngo Anh Hieu of the Sa Ky border guard station said border guards have maintained frequent patrols in the vicinity of the Sa Ky port as well as shelter areas to prevent unqualified vessels from fishing.
He noted unregistered vessels attempting to operate at sea are subject to legal action, while authorities also simultaneously encourage their owners to complete their documentation promptly.
Vietnam has been working hard to carry out the EC’s recommendations about IUU fishing prevention and control, towards the goal of having the EC's yellow card lifted.
The EC issued a “yellow card” warning for Vietnam in this regard in 2017. The "yellow card" is followed by a "green card" if the problem is resolved or a "red card" if it is not. A “red card” may lead to a ban on aquatic exports to the EU./.
