Ready to welcome EC inspection delegation, number of fishing vessels violating regulations decreased by over 84%

SGGPO 10/11/2023 20:36

From the beginning of 2023 to September 13, the number of fishing vessels illegally operating in foreign waters that were arrested and handled decreased by 84.35% compared to 2016.

Since October 11, the European Commission (EC) inspection team has begun its fourth inspection in Vietnam to consider whether the "yellow card" for Vietnamese seafood can be removed. On the evening of October 11, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development sent a report to the press to inform about the results of implementing the EC's recommendations raised in the previous inspection.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Phung Duc Tien (sitting) inspects the work of removing the "yellow card" on seafood in Quang Nam . Photo: Quang Nam Newspaper

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Phung Duc Tien informed that the EC inspection team will work in Vietnam from October 11 to 18.

"During this inspection, the localities (28 provinces and cities) were not informed in advance about the locations where the EC inspection team will inspect and all 28 provinces and cities with fisheries must be well prepared and ready to welcome the EC team," said Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien.

According to the report of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, in recent times, localities in Vietnam have been making efforts to implement the EC's recommendations on reducing the number of fishing vessels and increasing fishing capacity. To date, 26/28 coastal provinces and cities have determined fishing quotas in coastal and offshore areas. The total number of determined quotas is 84,125 licenses (considering adjusting the offshore quota from 31,297 licenses to 29,489 licenses; 17,899 licenses for offshore areas, 34,929 licenses for coastal areas).

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development also said that, to date, the total number of fishing vessels over 6m long that have been registered and updated in Vietnam's VNFishbase database is 73,282 (a decrease of nearly 2,000 vessels compared to October 2022). Some localities have deregistered unqualified vessels and ensured that these vessels do not resume operations locally).

Of the total 73,282 registered fishing vessels over 6m in length, there are currently 29,489 fishing vessels over 15m in length. According to regulations, these vessels must be licensed to operate and must install voyage monitoring equipment. As a result, up to now, 94.3% have been licensed to operate fisheries (still valid) and 97.65% of the vessels have installed voyage monitoring equipment (VMS).

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Phung Duc Tien and Vice Chairman of Quang Nam Provincial People's Committee Ho Quang Buu discussed with fishermen about removing the "yellow card" on seafood. Photo: Quang Nam Newspaper

Regarding handling of violating vessels, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the navy, coast guard, and fisheries surveillance forces have patrolled and controlled bordering and overlapping sea areas and key areas.

Thanks to that, up to now, the situation of Vietnamese fishing boats violating in Pacific countries and island nations has been prevented and stopped. Localities that have done well and significantly reduced violations include: Phu Yen, Tien Giang; however, localities that still have violations include Binh Thuan, Binh Dinh, Khanh Hoa, Kien Giang, Ben Tre .

However, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development affirmed that the situation of Vietnamese fishing vessels violating seafood exploitation in foreign waters has gradually decreased over the years after the "yellow card" warning.

"From the beginning of 2023 to September 13, the number of fishing vessels illegally operating in foreign waters that were arrested and handled decreased by 84.35% compared to 2016," the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development informed.

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/san-sang-don-doan-kiem-tra-cua-ec-so-tau-ca-vi-pham-giam-tren-84-post709386.html