Changing the consciousness of fishermen

Fishing boat QB 92629 TS of fisherman Nguyen Van Binh in Duc Trach commune, Bo Trach district, Quang Binh province has just returned to the mainland after a long trip to catch squid in the waters of Bach Long Vi island. As the owner of the boat, Mr. Binh is aware that he must fish in the waters belonging to Vietnam, not crossing into the territorial waters of other countries.

Officers and soldiers of Gianh Port Border Guard Station propagate and disseminate laws to fishermen. Photo: HOAI NAM

However, during the recent fishing trip, his fishing boat accidentally exceeded the permitted boundary. Immediately afterwards, his boat received a signal from the Ly Hoa Border Guard Station, Border Guard of Quang Binh Province, reminding and requesting him to return to the permitted fishing area. Mr. Nguyen Van Binh said: “With the Border Guard standing by our side, we feel very secure going to sea. The Border Guard has informed and propagated us about the Fisheries Law and the fight against IUU fishing, so I understand that illegal fishing in foreign waters, not installing a journey monitoring device, and disconnecting is a violation of the law. Therefore, every time I go to sea, I fully check the journey monitoring equipment, complete export procedures, and always keep a full logbook during the fishing process.”

In early July, taking advantage of the early morning when boats docked at Nhenh port anchorage area in Bac Trach commune, Bo Trach district, a number of officers and soldiers of Ly Hoa Border Guard Station came to propagate, disseminate and educate the law on combating IUU fishing to vehicle owners, combined with checking the equipment for monitoring fishing vessel journeys.

According to our observations, the direct dialogue format is very effective. The atmosphere is open and friendly, many fishermen, vessel owners, and crew members have their questions related to the Fisheries Law and legal documents on combating IUU fishing answered. In addition, the station's propaganda officers also provide information on things that fishermen need to pay attention to when practicing their profession, especially disseminating sanctions for fishing vessels that seriously violate regulations in fishing.

Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Van Thong, Head of Ly Hoa Border Guard Station, said: “In recent years, in addition to the task of protecting the sovereignty and security of the maritime border, the unit has identified preventing and ending IUU fishing as an important task. Ly Hoa Border Guard Station has developed a plan to coordinate with relevant forces to disseminate the law to fishermen. In addition to meetings, we also organize working groups to go down to fishing boats to propagate to ship owners, captains, and fishermen; mobilize owners and captains to sign a commitment not to take fishing boats through foreign waters, and to regularly maintain contact with the Border Guard. Therefore, fishermen's awareness has changed positively.”

Strictly handle violations

In addition to fishermen who comply with the law, there are still some who deliberately violate the law, so monitoring and inspection work has been strengthened and timely measures have been taken. Accordingly, to prevent fishermen from illegally exploiting aquatic resources, the Quang Binh Provincial Border Guard maintains inspection, control, and patrol work, resolutely not allowing fishing boats to leave port without full valid documents and equipment as prescribed.

According to Lieutenant Colonel Ngo Van Dung, Political Commissar of the Quang Binh Provincial Border Guard, implementing the direction of the superiors, the Provincial Border Guard Command has developed a plan to launch a peak period of patrolling and controlling with the goal of ending the situation of fishermen illegally exploiting aquatic resources. In the first 6 months of 2023, the Provincial Border Guard Command organized 83 propaganda sessions with the participation of 7,510 fishermen, propagandized 122 sessions on the local loudspeaker system; guided 4,300 ship owners to write a commitment to exploit aquatic resources in accordance with regulations; coordinated with the force to protect aquatic resources as well as local authorities to step up inspection and strict control at river mouths and inlets; strictly handled cases of incomplete documents according to regulations; Regularly exchange and inform the coast guard and navy about the situation of fishing vessels leaving port to coordinate management, control, monitoring, collection, and consolidation of documents and evidence of signs of violations.

To remove the IUU “yellow card”, the effective measures are to use professional measures, promptly prevent early violations by fishing boat owners; and grasp the fishing grounds of fishermen to provide early warnings. Therefore, in the coming time, the Border Guard of Quang Binh province will continue to direct units to thoroughly grasp and strictly implement the directives and instructions of all levels on propaganda to prevent and combat IUU fishing, raise awareness, promote the role and responsibility of Party committees, commanders, officers and soldiers in organizing implementation.

HUYEN TRANG

*Please visit the National Defense and Security section to see related news and articles.