Thanh Hoa works towards removal of EC’s yellow card warning

Thanh Hoa (VNA) – The northern central province of Thanh Hoa is accelerating inspections and control of local fishery to join national efforts in the fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, towards meeting requirements for the removal of the European Commission (EC)’s “yellow card”.

Three surveillance representative offices were set up at three fishing ports of Hoa Loc (Hau Loc district), Lach Hoi (Sam Son city) and Lach Bang (Tinh Gia district). They are tasked to inspect fishing vessels to trace the origin of seafood products in line with current regulations.

They must prevent the sailing of any fishing boat which is not able to show necessary documents or ensure safety for both crewmen and the boat.

Communication campaigns have been step up in the locality to raise public awareness of the strict punishment and consequences of IUU fishing while popularising state regulations like the Prime Minister’s Directive No 45 on measures to counter the EU’s IUU fishing warning and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development’s Directive No.3227 on enhancing management of seafood exploitation.

Three training courses on Fisheries Law in 2017 as well as the EU’s recommendations on IUU fishing were held in three coastal localities of Hau Loc, Tinh Gia and Sam Son. In addition, the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development have hung banners, handed out nearly 10,000 leaflets and printed 300 documents on illegal fishing.

As of the beginning of April this year, relevant authorities examined 267 vessels and levied administrative fine in 40 violation cases. The province reported no boat encroaching and fishing in banned areas under the Vietnam-China fishery agreement.

Fishing vessels are required to install and turn on the fisheries surveillance system around the clock as well as keep in touch with the information station in the mainland.

Hoang Thi Yen, Vice Director of the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, said that in the coming time, the department will channel more efforts into training and popularisation works to prevent and remove IUU fishing in the locality by 2025.

Strict punishment will be meted to any violation, she added.-VNA