With the aim of raising awareness and responsibility for fishermen in exploiting aquatic products in accordance with the provisions of Vietnamese law and international conventions for waters under Vietnam's sovereignty and international waters, in recent times, Hai Hoa Border Guard Station (Provincial Border Guard Command) has always developed a plan to propagate and mobilize fishermen to strictly comply with regulations on exploiting and catching aquatic products in the area under the unit's responsibility.
Major Hoang Ngoc Trung, Political Commissar of Hai Hoa Border Guard Station, said: "The unit is responsible for managing 23.5km of coastline in 9 wards of Nghi Son town with 1,507 vessels. Of these, 555 vessels are 15m or longer, 241 vessels are 6m to under 12m long, 711 vessels are under 6m long; the two estuaries are Ghep and Bang. At the two estuaries, there are often many ships and boats of fishermen from Nghi Son town and neighboring localities coming in and out to anchor to avoid storms and exchange fishing logistics services."
With a long sea border, a large number of vehicles operating in many industries in the sea area under the unit's patrol and control. Adhering to Plan No. 2351/KH-BCH of the Provincial Border Guard Command on the peak of the fight against IUU fishing in Thanh Hoa province, officers and soldiers of Hai Hoa Border Guard Station have focused on patrolling and disseminating to fishermen regulations on fishing and aquatic exploitation, with the motto "Know the vehicle, know the vehicle owner, know the captain, know the industry and know the communication channel".
Along with building a weekly propaganda column on the town's radio system, in 2024, Hai Hoa Border Guard Station coordinated with the Department of Culture - Information and coastal wards of Nghi Son town to organize 9 propaganda sessions for 620 vehicle owners to participate. The propaganda content focused mainly on the Law of the Sea of Vietnam, the Law on Fisheries, legal documents related to IUU and regulations when operating at sea. It is also the revised Law on Maritime Traffic Safety of China so that fishermen can take measures to avoid violations; Decision No. 78/QD-TTg dated January 16, 2018 of the Prime Minister on approving the national action plan to prevent, reduce and eliminate illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing by 2025; Directive No. 01/CT-TTg dated January 9, 2015 of the Prime Minister on organizing a mass movement to participate in protecting territorial sovereignty and national border security in the new situation. At the same time, regularly disseminate and guide fishermen to grasp the sea areas under Vietnam's sovereignty and sovereign rights; traditional fishing areas; sea areas that need attention when fishing and sea areas that are not allowed to be fished. At the same time, mobilize and encourage fishermen to exploit the waters of the Truong Sa archipelago to enjoy benefits such as logistics, technical services, rescue, salvage, anchorage areas, storm shelters, etc.
Since the beginning of 2024, the unit has organized the awarding of 1,000 national flags and pictures of Uncle Ho to fishermen who go offshore, stick to the sea, and firmly maintain sovereignty over the sea and islands; distributed more than 9,000 leaflets campaigning against IUU fishing, preventing fishing vessels from invading foreign waters to illegally exploit seafood without reporting or following regulations to fishermen and vessel owners; presented 40 gifts to fishermen's families in especially difficult circumstances.
Along with propaganda work, Hai Hoa Border Guard Station also proactively developed a plan to patrol, control, and combat IUU; assigned direct tasks to control stations and teams to organize inspections and controls, and resolutely not let unqualified fishing vessels leave port. In 2024, the unit organized 69 patrols, with 207 officers and soldiers participating; controlled 2,416 vehicles at 2 inlets, with 15,742 workers. Through patrols, inspections, detections, and handling of 34 administrative violations, with 34 subjects; issued decisions to fine 33 cases, 33 subjects paid the State Treasury 169.9 million VND; advised Nghi Son Town People's Committee to issue a decision to fine 25 million VND per case, with 1 subject.
Violations that fishermen's fishing vessels often commit include: Removing the journey monitoring device on the fishing vessel without the supervision of the supplier or installer; not writing the fishing vessel registration number as prescribed; expired fishing vessel technical safety certificate; not flying the national flag of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam; not having the required diploma or certificate; not purchasing insurance for crew members working on the fishing vessel; storing electric shock tools for fishing; not marking the fishing vessel in the case of using a fishing vessel with a maximum length of 15 meters to less than 24 meters and from 24 meters or more. In addition, every month, the unit coordinates with local authorities to review and count the number of vessels and workers operating at sea, and groups at high risk of IUU violations to manage, deter, and remind as well as exchange, notify and coordinate with relevant local agencies and units to monitor, supervise, and promptly apply preventive measures.
In the coming time, Hai Hoa Border Guard Station will continue to coordinate with local authorities and functional forces to promote propaganda and education for officials and fishermen on legal documents related to IUU and regulations when operating at sea, especially means of transport at risk of violating IUU and violating foreign waters. Thereby, contributing to encouraging fishermen to go offshore, improve production efficiency, ensure safe fishing, fishing in accordance with regulations, maintain security and order at sea, and join hands to protect the sovereignty of the sea and islands of the homeland.
Article and photos: Tien Dong
Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/don-bien-phong-hai-hoa-tuyen-truyen-chong-khai-thac-iuu-231158.htm
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