From the IUU violation case in Kien Giang

At the end of January 2024, the People's Court of Kien Giang province sentenced 4 defendants living in Kien Giang province for organizing illegal exit for others, from 1 to 8 years in prison.

This case involves the illegal fishing of vessels through other countries' waters, violating regulations on combating illegal fishing (IUU). This is the first case to be tried in the country after more than 5 years of fighting illegal fishing but no cases have been prosecuted. Kien Giang is one of the provinces with the largest number of fishing vessels in the country, and at the same time, it is also the province with many vessels violating illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

It can be seen that since the European Commission (EC) issued a “yellow card” warning to Vietnamese seafood, there have been many cases of illegal fishing in foreign waters across the country, but most of these cases have only been subject to administrative penalties. This is the first criminal case of sending ships and fishermen to foreign waters to illegally exploit seafood. The heavy penalties for fishermen under the 2017 Fisheries Law are intended to deter and warn fishermen nationwide that illegal fishing in foreign waters will result in losing everything. The EC affirmed that it will not consider removing the “yellow card” if Vietnam continues to allow fishing vessels to illegally exploit in foreign waters and is at risk of being warned with a “red card”. This not only seriously affects Vietnam's seafood export activities but also greatly affects the image, reputation, and diplomatic position of the country in the international arena.

The number of IUU violations in Binh Thuan has decreased year by year.

It is known that in Binh Thuan, the number of violations of fishing in foreign waters still exists, but has decreased gradually over the years. Previously, the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee issued a decision to fine 2 fishing boats in La Gi town 900 million VND for violating foreign waters. To completely end the above case, as well as prepare for the 5th inspection by the EC, the Prime Minister directed the Ministry of Public Security to urgently consolidate the records, prosecute cases of brokerage, collusion to bring Vietnamese fishing boats and fishermen to illegally exploit seafood in foreign waters to ensure the strictness of the law.

At recent meetings with 28 coastal provinces and cities nationwide, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang requested localities to continue to synchronously deploy tasks and solutions to combat IUU fishing; absolutely not to be negligent or subjective; resolutely handle organizations and individuals who do not fulfill their assigned duties and tasks in performing their official duties, affecting the common efforts to remove the "Yellow Card" of the whole country. At the same time, promptly encourage, reward and motivate typical examples in combating IUU fishing.

Localities need to take advantage of the time when fishing boats and fishermen return home for the 2024 Lunar New Year holiday to organize propaganda.

In recent times, Binh Thuan has implemented many urgent measures, focusing on managing and closely monitoring subjects at high risk of violating illegal exploitation in foreign waters (especially paying attention to the activities of offshore fishing vessels in the areas: La Gi, Phu Quy, Ham Tan... before, during and after the Lunar New Year of Giap Thin). In particular, the province also coordinates with functional forces of other provinces to strictly manage and control fishing vessels operating and staying outside the province; prioritizes the deployment of forces in key areas to both propagate and mobilize, and firmly grasp the area, promptly detect and prevent from afar, resolutely not allowing fishing vessels and fishermen to illegally exploit foreign waters. Continue to review records, thoroughly punish violations that are still within the time limit and statute of limitations, to be completed before April 30, 2024 and investigate and prosecute acts of brokerage and collusion to bring fishing vessels and fishermen to illegally exploit foreign waters.

In addition, localities have widely disseminated information to each fishing family, promptly reported on IUU fishing violations that were handled according to regulations to deter and educate; organized meetings, visits, and encouragement for fishermen during the Lunar New Year of Giap Thin. Through the VMS fishing vessel monitoring system, promptly detect, warn, and prevent cases of crossing maritime boundaries. Focus resources on implementing registration and temporary registration for "3 no" fishing vessels in operation for monitoring and management...

Resolutely and strictly handle cases of intentional violations of IUU fishing.

At the recent 9th meeting of the National Steering Committee on combating IUU fishing, the Deputy Prime Minister requested relevant ministries, branches and coastal provinces and cities to strengthen patrolling, inspection and control of fishing vessels operating at sea, especially in border, overlapping and undemarcated waters, and strictly handle violations. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development needs to urgently develop a plan and establish a Working Group to handle and inspect the implementation of the EC's recommendations in localities and arising work. In addition, localities need to take advantage of the occasion when fishing vessels and fishermen return home for the Lunar New Year 2024 to organize propaganda, mobilize and raise awareness of captains, ship owners and fishermen; control and manage the fleet in the area, resolutely and strictly handle cases of intentional violations of IUU fishing, ensuring law enforcement between localities.

Source: https://baobinhthuan.com.vn/tu-vu-an-diem-vi-pham-iuu-o-kien-giang-116838.html