Ha Tinh will handle fishing vessels 15m or longer that lose connection signal to the journey monitoring device to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUU fishing).
Many fishing boats lost VMS connection
According to the provisions of the 2017 Fisheries Law and Decree No. 26/2019/ND-CP dated March 8, 2019 of the Government, fishing vessels with a length of 15m or more must install a voyage monitoring device (VMS) and must ensure that the device operates continuously 24/7 from the time the vessel leaves the port until it arrives at the port.
By implementing many solutions, up to now, the whole province has had 94/98 fishing boats with a length of over 15m installed with VMS equipment; 4 boats are currently damaged, lying on shore and not operating at sea, the fishing boat owners have made a written commitment to install VMS equipment before resuming operations.
Information about fishing vessels losing connection to VMS devices is reported to the national fishing vessel monitoring system.
However, in recent times, the situation of losing connection of VMS devices of fishing vessels while operating at sea has been relatively common, concentrated in localities such as Nghi Xuan, Loc Ha, Ky Anh town... In April and May alone, the whole province had more than 50 fishing vessels losing connection to VMS.
Through monitoring by the Shore Station and the fishing vessel monitoring system of the Directorate of Fisheries, the fishing vessel of fisherman Tran Xuan Sinh with registration number HT.96709 (Loc Ha town, Loc Ha district) frequently lost connection to VSM. When discussing to handle the issue, the ship owner gave many reasons such as: the signal provider's equipment was not working properly, there was no electricity to maintain at sea, entering an area of wave disturbance so the connection was lost... This caused many difficulties for the authorities and related units when monitoring and investigating.
The Department of Fisheries regularly monitors the activities of Ha Tinh fishing vessels at sea.
Despite being reminded many times, having minutes of work made and notified to the Department of Fisheries and the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, the fishing boat of fisherman Nguyen Luu Truyen with registration number HT.96716 (Xuan Hoi commune, Nghi Xuan) still did not maintain continuous connection with the VSM device at sea; did not use other communication devices to report the location of the fishing boat to the fishing boat monitoring center at the Central level and 28 provinces, cities, and coastal areas every 6 hours when the boat lost connection to VMS. Currently, for many reasons, it is impossible to determine the cause of the loss of connection, so it is difficult to determine the responsible entity and the appropriate form of handling violations.
Along with that, through monitoring VMS equipment, some fishing vessels of our province often operate near the boundary line for permitted fishing. The provincial Fisheries Department has continuously reminded and informed by many means so that captains and ship owners pay attention and return their vessels to the authorized fishing area.
Image of a fishing boat of our province operating near the boundary line for fishing is recorded on VMS device.
Coordinate processing
Faced with this situation, the Provincial People's Committee issued Decision No. 1128/QD-UBND dated May 22, 2023 on promulgating the "Regulations on coordination in management, exploitation and use of information and data on monitoring fishing vessels in Ha Tinh province", Decision No. 1147/QD-UBND dated May 25, 2023 on promulgating the "Procedure for processing data on monitoring the journey of fishing vessels with a length of 15m or more that lose connection, exceed the permitted boundary during operations at sea". The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development issued Decision No. 244/QD-SNN dated April 14, 2023 on promulgating the "Procedure for installing, removing, and replacing journey monitoring equipment installed on fishing vessels".
According to Mr. Nguyen Tong Thang - Deputy Head of Ha Tinh Fisheries Sub-Department, the issuance of regulations and handling procedures will clearly define the responsibilities of relevant units; the steps to be taken when fishing vessels with a length of 15m or more lose connection with VMS equipment, and exceed the permitted fishing boundary at sea. Accordingly, Ha Tinh Border Guard will preside over and coordinate with the Fisheries Sub-Department, People's Committees of coastal districts and towns, and the Management Boards of Ha Tinh Fishing Ports and Wharves to verify and handle fishing vessels that lose connection signals and exceed the permitted sea boundary.
Ha Tinh Border Guard coordinates to strengthen inspection and control of implementation of regulations on journey monitoring devices.
“This also creates conditions for more accurate processing of data from the journey monitoring device, using it as a basis for sanctions in accordance with regulations; preventing and minimizing the situation of Ha Tinh fishing vessels losing connection signals, exceeding permitted boundaries during operations at sea to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUU fishing)” - Mr. Thang added.
The Management Board of fishing ports, fishing wharves, and the Representative Office of Fisheries Inspection and Control continue to arrange human resources to strengthen inspection and control of fishing vessels entering and leaving the port to ensure continuous operation of VMS equipment; monitor and supervise 24/7, 100% of fishing vessels operating at sea through the fishing vessel monitoring system.
Authorities deploy 24/7 monitoring and surveillance of fishing vessels operating at sea through the fishing vessel monitoring system.
Along with that, the Department of Fisheries is coordinating with 11 provinces from Thanh Hoa to Khanh Hoa to develop a draft regulation on coordination between localities to control 100% of fishing vessels of the province operating outside the province, fishing vessels of other provinces docking at ports for confirmation but carrying out the certification of fishing vessel registration in other provinces.
Thai Oanh
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