Quang Tri (VNA) - Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Phung Duc Tien has urged leaders of the central coastal province of Quang Tri and its departments to focus on resolving shortcomings in managing fishing vessels.
At a working session with the provincial People’s Committee on September 18, Tien, who is also deputy head of the national steering committee for illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing prevention and control, highlighted the need to mobilise the political system and called for stronger and more decisive actions in the fight against IUU fishing.
Noting the loose management of fishing vessels in the locality, he said that specific responsibilities must be assigned to each sector. Leaders at all levels must be accountable and strict punishment will be imposed on those who fail to fulfil their duties.
According to a report from the provincial steering committee for IUU fishing prevention and control, 186 out of 188 fishing vessels with a length of 15 metres or more in the province have installed vessel monitoring systems (VMS). However, the number of three nos vessels (no registration, no examination, and no licence), is 385 and those that have not yet been registered is 105.
So far, Quang Tri has issued fishing licences to 483 out of 776 fishing vessels with a length of 6 metres and above. There have been no reports of local vessels being caught for illegal fishing in foreign waters.
In the first nine months of 2024, local authorities handled 46 cases of IUU fishing-related violations, with a total fine of over 320 million VND (12,981 USD).
Representatives from the Department of Fisheries and Vietnam Fisheries Surveillance highlighted that while there have been positive changes in dealing with IUU fishing in Quang Tri, there remain limitations that could negatively impact the removal of the European Commission's "yellow card."
For instance, the province has not yet monitored the seafood output of fishing vessels with a length from 6 to less than 12m and some boats losing VMS signals for more than six hours have not yet received penalties, they said./.
