Ha Tinh strengthens implementation of tasks against illegal fishing

The IUU Steering Committee of Ha Tinh province has just issued a document on strengthening the implementation of the task of combating illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUU), preparing to work with the 4th inspection delegation of the European Commission.

According to information from the People's Committee of Cam Nhuong commune (Cam Xuyen), due to many reasons such as engine conversion, exceeding capacity... only 18/45 ships in the area have been inspected.

In this document, the Steering Committee pointed out some major problems such as: low number of fishing vessel inspections; limited control and handling of fishing vessel trading at the local level; limited law enforcement, inspection, detection and handling of violations of illegal fishing vessels at sea.

Installation of fishing vessel monitoring systems (VMS) has reached nearly 100%, however, there are still cases of fishing vessels losing connection at sea. Since March 2023, Ha Tinh has had 75 fishing vessels lose connection while operating at sea.

The quality of fishing logs has not met requirements; exploitation and use of fisheries control databases at fishing ports on electronic software are still limited. Currently, the database is mainly done manually, recorded, copied and stored on paper.

Determined to work with the whole country to remove the "Yellow Card" warning by October 2023 under the direction of the Prime Minister, the Steering Committee requests departments, branches, units and localities to strictly implement the direction in Decision No. 81/QD-TTg dated February 13, 2023, Official Dispatch No. 265/CD-TTg dated April 17, 2023 of the Prime Minister and Plan No. 67/KH-UBND dated March 15, 2023, Official Dispatch No. 199/CD-UBND dated May 18, 2023 of the Provincial People's Committee; review all work contents under the responsibilities and authority of assigned departments, branches, units and localities, assign responsibility to the heads of Party committees and authorities at all levels to directly lead and direct, and consider this an urgent political task that requires focused resources to implement, in which a high focus is placed on directing and implementing the above-mentioned shortcomings.

Ha Tinh strengthens implementation of tasks against illegal fishing

Boats prepare to set sail at the beach of Thach Lac commune, Thach Ha district.

The Provincial Border Guard Command is in charge of focusing on patrolling, inspecting, and strictly punishing IUU fishing activities according to the provisions of Decree No. 42/2019/ND-CP dated May 16, 2019 of the Government. Resolutely not allowing fishing vessels to leave port without sufficient procedures, documents, and equipment as prescribed.

Conduct surprise inspections and controls to detect, prevent, arrest and handle fishing vessels operating in coastal waters, vessels operating in the wrong direction (this is one of the reasons fishing vessels lose connection for a long time) and other forms of illegal fishing according to regulations.

Coordinate with relevant units to implement measures to investigate and verify fishing vessels that disconnect their journey monitoring devices while operating at sea; coordinate with local authorities to verify, investigate and handle fishing vessels that lose connection for a long time according to the provisions of law.

People's Committees of coastal districts and towns shall preside over and direct the organization of review, inspection, and compilation of lists of fishing vessels that have not yet been granted fishing licenses, registered, inspected, and marked, and take drastic measures to require compliance with regulations, and periodically compile lists and report on implementation progress.

Direct the review of rotten, damaged, sunken fishing vessels that cannot be salvaged and sold outside the province, promptly carry out procedures to deregister according to regulations; control and handle the situation of buying and selling fishing vessels locally to ensure compliance with the law. Attach responsibility to the heads of local Party committees and authorities.

The Fisheries Sub-Department operates the fishing vessel monitoring equipment 24/7, ensuring the completion of fishing vessel management work according to regulations (registration, inspection, issuance of fishing licenses, issuance of food safety certificates when there are records, operation of VMS equipment, full update of fishing vessel data into the national fisheries database), data must match and be consistent between local reports and on the national fisheries database (VNFishbase), consistent between agencies and functional units.

Strengthen coordination among forces to promote law enforcement and handle violations at sea and at fishing ports according to regulations.

Monitor, synthesize and promptly advise the standing agency of the Provincial IUU Steering Committee, strictly implement the monthly and ad hoc reporting regime.

The Management Board of Fishing Ports and the Office of Fisheries Inspection and Control at fishing ports fully monitor the output of exploited aquatic products unloaded through the port; strictly comply with regulations on confirmation, certification and traceability; ensure 100% of fishing vessels dock at designated ports, monitor 100% of locally exploited aquatic products; strictly comply with regulations on confirmation, certification and traceability.

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