Central region strives to combat illegal fishing (IUU)

Along with the whole country, recently localities in the Central region have focused on handling the situation of "3 no" fishing vessels (no registration, no inspection, no fishing license).

After 7 years of implementing the fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, the authorities of coastal provinces and cities and functional forces across the country have focused on implementing well the directions of the Central and local governments, overcoming "loopholes" in the management of fishing vessel activities.

As of January 6, 2025, through review and statistics, the total number of fishing vessels nationwide is 84,536; of which, the number of registered fishing vessels updated on VN-Fishbase is 83,648 (reaching 98.9%). Fishing vessels with a length of 15 meters or more participating in fishing activities have installed voyage monitoring equipment, reaching 100% (28,312 units). The control of fishing vessels entering, leaving and entering ports and operating at sea has made much progress...

In addition, information technology is applied to monitor, control and supervise the output of exploited aquatic products unloaded through ports; implementing electronic traceability (eCDT) to ensure transparency and legality for export shipments to the European market, without violating IUU. At the same time, the control of imported aquatic products from foreign countries is being fully implemented in accordance with international regulations...

Although the number of illegal fishing violations in foreign waters has decreased significantly, some violations still occur. The results of verification and handling of violations such as disconnecting the journey monitoring device, exceeding the permitted sea boundary, or illegal fishing in foreign waters are still very low compared to the total number of detected cases. The quality control of fishing logs in some localities is not ensured according to regulations; the handling of fishing vessels operating in the wrong area is still limited. In addition, the work of extending and granting fishing licenses is still slow.

The Central region is making efforts to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

Along with the whole country, in recent times, localities in the Central region have focused on handling the situation of "3 no" fishing vessels (no registration, no inspection, no fishing license). The work of monitoring and controlling the output of aquatic products exploited through ports has been significantly improved. Authorities have deployed an electronic traceability system, helping to ensure transparency and legality for seafood shipments exported to markets. Fishermen in the Central region are also unanimous and determined not to fish illegally.

In Da Nang, the city government has focused maximum resources on implementing drastic and timely solutions; to date, the shortcomings and limitations in the fight against IUU fishing have been basically overcome. Specifically, the city has completed the thorough handling of all "3 no" fishing vessels; issued full documents to 401 fishing vessels that had been registered but had not completed inspection on time (currently over 90% of the city's fishing vessels are eligible to operate); strengthened the monitoring and supervision of fishing vessels; 100% of fishing vessels that lost VMS connection were verified and handled in accordance with regulations; completed the review, verification and thorough handling of all fishing vessels showing signs of violating IUU fishing from October 2023 to present. 100% of fishing vessels docking at ports to unload exploited aquatic products have their output monitored, and have submitted purchase and transit logs and quality-assured fishing logs.

Meanwhile, in Quang Ngai, Mr. Tran Phuoc Hien, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, said that Quang Ngai currently has 5,077 fishing vessels, of which 3,066 are 15 meters or longer. In 2024, the authorities sanctioned 165 cases of administrative violations in the field of fisheries, with a fine of more than 2.9 billion VND. Like Da Nang, Quang Ngai has so far basically eliminated the "3 no" fishing vessels.

The situation of fishing vessels with "3 no's" (no registration, no inspection, no fishing license) is being thoroughly handled in localities in the Central region.

As one of the key fishing provinces in the Central region, Binh Dinh has also taken many drastic measures to reduce IUU fishing. According to the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, by January 13, 2025, Binh Dinh had registered 5,988 fishing vessels with a length of 6 meters or more, of which 5,782 fishing vessels were licensed for fishing. 100% of fishing vessels with a length of 15 meters or more (3,190 vessels) participating in fishing activities have installed vessel monitoring equipment (VMS)...

According to the representative of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Binh Dinh, the locality pays special attention to strengthening cooperation with the southern coastal provinces, in order to closely coordinate in the management of fishing vessels; organize working groups to mobilize fishermen not to violate foreign waters, especially high-risk vessels; sign coordination regulations with the provinces of Ba Ria - Vung Tau, Binh Thuan, Kien Giang to improve the effectiveness of fishing vessel management and ensure the safety of fishermen in fishing activities.

No less drastic than other localities in the region, the People's Committee of Phu Yen province has also requested coastal districts, cities and towns to coordinate with the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Provincial Border Guard Command to strengthen the review and inspection of each "3 no" fishing vessel to classify, handle and ensure completion of registration. For "3 no" fishing vessels that arise outside the list, localities must urgently report the list, propose and recommend specific handling measures for the Provincial People's Committee to consider and resolve. The People's Committees of coastal localities have deployed the establishment of working groups to support fishermen in completing procedures for fishing licenses and technical safety certificates for fishing vessels. In particular, if there are any cases of "3 no" fishing vessels, the Chairman of the People's Committee of that district, town or city shall be responsible to the Chairman of the People's Committee of Phu Yen province.

Source: https://thoibaonganhang.vn/mien-trung-no-luc-chong-khai-thac-thuy-san-bat-hop-phap-iuu-159888.html