As of October 2023, all fishing vessels in Tien Giang had registered to authorities. (Photo: VNA) Tien Giang (VNA) – Fishing vessels in the Mekong Delta province of Tien Giang have strictly followed regulations and proactive monitoringmeasures to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, accordingto the provincial Steering Committee for IUU Fishing Prevention andControl.
As of October 2023, all fishing vessels in the province had registered to authorities. A total of 961 vessels with lengths of 12 metres andmore are technically eligible for operation.
In September 2023, the province granted 61 permissions tovessels, bringing the total number of vessels with valid permissions in theprovince to 1,069.
A total of 938 operating vessels in the province installed vesselmonitoring system (VMS). Until now, there is no report on anyorganisation or individual in the province involved in brokerage that luresvessels/fishermen to illegal fishing or violates foreign waters.
Tien Giang Border Guard coordinated with authorities to organisecommunication activities and training about the legal fishery regulations ofVietnam and other countries. The provincial border guard directed itsaffiliated units to send staff to every fishing vessel and tell captains,fishermen, and vessel owners about relevant regulations and IUU fishing.
According to Captain Le Van Vinh, head of Vam Lang Border Guard Post, implementing the plan of the Border Guard High Command and the provincialBorder Guard, the Vam Lang post has closely controlled, verified and prevented IUUfishing.
Border guard’s inspections and examinations helped ensure thatno vessels could leave the port without installing VMS.
Nguyen Trong Tuy, Director of the provincial FisheriesSub-Department, said that the communication on IUU prevention and control inthe province has brought positive results. Local fishermen and vessel ownershave a better understanding of IUU fishing, resulting in a reduced number ofviolations.
From 2022 to October 2023, Tien Giang provincehas recorded no cases involving IUU fishing.
Vice Chairman of the provincial People's Committee Pham VanTrong directed the provincial Steering Committee for IUU Fishing Preventionand Control to continue to step up communication, and increase publicunderstanding about IUU fishing.
Fishing vessels that do not meet required conditions must notleave ports to work at sea, he said./.
