Continue to monitor the implementation of regulations on combating illegal fishing.

In recent times, Ha Tinh has implemented many solutions to combat IUU fishing. The entire province has no fishing vessels violating foreign waters, 99/99 fishing vessels operating offshore have installed VMS equipment...

On the afternoon of June 1, in Hanoi , Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang chaired an online conference of the National Steering Committee on combating illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUU fishing).

Permanent Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Nguyen Hong Linh chaired the Ha Tinh bridge point.

Overview of the conference. Photo: Pham Kien - VNA

After 5 years of implementing solutions to combat IUU fishing, Vietnam's basic legal framework has met international requirements on combating IUU fishing and continues to be improved in a positive direction. The National Assembly passed the Fisheries Law in 2017, the Government issued 2 decrees and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development issued 8 guiding circulars.

Communication, propaganda and training work is promoted from central to local levels with many diverse forms.

Permanent Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Nguyen Hong Linh operates the Ha Tinh bridge point.

Implementing the recommendations of the European Commission (EC), 26/28 coastal provinces and cities under the Central Government have completed the review and inventory of fishing vessels, determining fishing quotas in coastal and offshore waters. To date, the country has 86,820 fishing vessels with a length of 6m or more (a decrease of 9,789 vessels compared to 2019), of which 30,091 fishing vessels are 15m or longer (a decrease of 1,206 vessels compared to 2019). The total number of quotas determined and announced is 84,125 licenses.

Regarding monitoring, inspection and control of fishing vessel activities at sea, the whole country has installed voyage monitoring equipment (VMS) on fishing vessels with a length of 15 m or more, reaching 97.65% (28,797/29,489 fishing vessels).

Lieutenant General Nguyen Trong Binh - Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army speaks at the conference. Photo: Pham Kien - VNA

Certification and traceability of aquatic products from exploitation are organized and implemented in accordance with the provisions of the Fisheries Law and the Agreement on Port State Measures (PSMA) which basically meets the requirements.

Vietnam has prevented and stopped fishing vessel violations in Pacific island countries. Law enforcement and administrative sanctions have been actively implemented in many localities. Since the beginning of 2023, over 13 billion VND has been fined for violating fishing vessels.

However, according to the EC's assessment, the implementation of the Fisheries Law and regulations against IUU fishing are not yet consistent and consistent among localities. The number of fishing vessels is still large, leading to unbalanced exploitation capacity compared to the reserves of aquatic resources; there are still many problems in the implementation of confirmation, certification and traceability of domestically exploited aquatic products. The registration of fishing vessels, issuance of fishing licenses, and installation of VMS equipment have not been completed according to regulations.

Delegates at Ha Tinh bridge point.

The situation of fishing vessels illegally exploiting in foreign waters still occurs and is becoming more complicated; fishing vessels and fishermen continue to be arrested by foreign countries. The EC affirms that it will not lift the “yellow card” warning if this situation is not stopped. Brokerage and collusion to send fishing vessels to illegally exploit in foreign waters occurs frequently, but the results of investigation and handling are still limited.

At the conference, localities, ministries and sectors focused on discussing the limitations and difficulties in combating IUU fishing. Many "hot" issues that directly affect the process of removing the "yellow card" were discussed, such as: low awareness of law enforcement among people; many sophisticated forms used to illegally exploit seafood in foreign waters; records of traceability of seafood exported to the European market are of a coping nature; monitoring and controlling fishing vessels operating at sea via the VMS system...

Currently, Ha Tinh has no fishing vessels violating the law in foreign waters. The whole province has 99/99 fishing vessels operating offshore fishing with VMS equipment installed; 2,911/2,911 fishing vessels have been registered in the national fishing vessel register; 2,550/2,911 fishing vessels still have valid fishing licenses.

Ha Tinh Fishing Port Management Board has arranged human resources to monitor 100% of seafood output unloaded through the port.

The Department of Fisheries and the Provincial Border Guard have increased coordination to launch peak periods of patrolling, inspecting, controlling and strictly punishing acts against IUU fishing according to regulations.

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang speaks at the conference. Photo: Pham Kien - VNA

Concluding the conference, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang suggested that ministries, branches and localities should continue to overcome shortcomings and limitations in combating IUU fishing according to the EC's recommendations in the third working session to prepare for the fourth inspection in October; organize working groups to inspect and supervise localities in implementing regulations against IUU fishing to promptly urge and guide.

Focus on implementing strong and resolute measures to prevent and not allow fishing vessels to illegally exploit seafood in foreign waters; trace the origin of exploited seafood; control imported illegally exploited seafood materials.

At the same time, there should be plans to mobilize, second, and arrange sufficient human resources with expertise, skills, and funding to carry out the task of combating IUU fishing in localities; and to strengthen the dissemination of legal regulations on fisheries to people in coastal areas.

Permanent Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Nguyen Hong Linh spoke at the Ha Tinh bridge point.

After the conference, at the Ha Tinh bridge, Standing Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Nguyen Hong Linh requested departments, branches and localities to strictly implement the contents according to the direction and conclusion of Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang at the conference; continue to launch peak patrols, inspections, controls and strictly handle violations according to regulations.

In the immediate future, it is necessary to vigorously implement the contents of the province's Action Plan against IUU fishing, and prepare well the contents to work with the upcoming 4th EC inspection delegation.

Thai Oanh

Source: https://baohatinh.vn/nong-nghiep/tiep-tuc-giam-sat-viec-trien-khai-cac-quy-dinh-ve-chong-khai-thac-thuy-san-bat-hop-phap/249356.htm