Discuss solutions to combat illegal fishing

Multiple violations

According to the report of Nghe An Fisheries Sub-Department, through review up to September 14, 2023, the whole province has 2,477 fishing vessels with a length of 6m or more, of which 1,121 fishing vessels have a length of 15m or more. There are 2,477 fishing vessels with a length of 6m or more that have been registered and updated on the VNFishbase database. There are 1,164/1,660 vessels with valid inspection (70.12%); 863/1,121 fishing vessels have been granted a Fishing Vessel Food Safety Certificate (76.98%); 2,226/2,477 vessels have been granted a Fishing License (89.87%); 1,073/1,121 fishing vessels have installed voyage monitoring equipment, reaching a rate of 95.72%.

Regarding violations during seafood exploitation, through monitoring in 2022, there were 12,809 violations, of which 370 fishing vessels lost connection for more than 10 days at sea. In the first 9 months of 2023 alone, there were 13,374 violations, of which 325 fishing vessels lost connection for more than 10 days at sea. Regarding cases of fishing vessels crossing the permitted boundary line at sea, there were 242 violations in 2022; in the first 9 months of 2023, there were 115 violations.

In addition, in 2022, 105 fishing vessels crossed the border into foreign waters. Investigations determined that 19 ship owners/captains violated regulations on voyage monitoring equipment while operating at sea. The Provincial Border Guard Command also administratively fined 18 fishing vessel owners VND 450 million, and revoked the right to use diplomas and certificates for 4 months and 15 days for 2 captains...

In the first 9 months of 2023, 27 fishing boats crossed the border into foreign waters. The Provincial Border Guard Command has issued a decision to administratively sanction 8 fishing boat owners, with a total fine of 190 million VND.

Strengthen supervision and strict implementation according to regulations

Violations in fishing activities have affected Vietnam's efforts to remove the "Yellow Card". In Nghe An, in recent years, law enforcement and administrative sanctions have been actively implemented and mainly carried out by two forces, the Provincial Border Guard Command and the Fisheries Sub-Department. In the period 2020-2023, these two forces have sanctioned 869 administrative violations, with a total fine of more than 3.6 billion VND.

At this meeting, representatives of a number of localities, departments and sectors expressed their opinions on the shortcomings of the current management and supervision of seafood exploitation. In particular, there is no policy to convert fishing occupations towards reducing the number and strength of fishing vessels, minimizing fishing occupations that greatly affect marine resources and ecosystems. There is a lack of regulations requiring fishermen to deregister fishing vessels when they are sold, burned, sunk, or dismantled; regulations on sanctions for inspection facilities that do not update data to the VNFishbase system. Some fishing vessels have expired inspection but have not completed inspection procedures; many fishing vessels have not yet issued or reissued fishing licenses according to regulations, so the rate of fishing vessel inspection and issuance of fishing licenses is still low.

In particular, in Dien Chau district, because Van creek has been silted up for a long time, large-capacity ships in the area have to enter at other creek mouths, making management difficult. Some ships have been burned, some have been sold out of the locality and are waiting for registration procedures, so they have not installed voyage monitoring equipment. Some localities also reported that voyage monitoring equipment frequently breaks down, but equipment suppliers are slow to support in repairing and fixing problems, leading to fishing boats losing connection to VMS, affecting fishermen's fishing activities.

In some localities such as Quynh Lap commune (Hoang Mai town); Quynh Nghia and Son Hai communes (Quynh Luu), there are a large number of fishing boats operating offshore but there is no designated fishing port, so fishermen often spontaneously dock to unload goods and aquatic products, thus making it difficult to control and monitor fishing output. Infrastructure for fishing ports and wharves is lacking, estuaries are silted, making it difficult for boats to enter and exit, and not ensuring safety.

Speaking at the meeting, Mr. Nguyen Van De - Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee requested departments, branches and localities to carry out a number of key tasks to be completed before September 30, 2023. In particular, focusing on reviewing and making a list of fishing vessels that have not been registered, inspected, granted fishing licenses, and have not installed journey monitoring equipment; providing the list to the People's Committees of districts, towns, Border Guard Stations and Stations along the coast for monitoring, propaganda, guidance and handling when there are violations. Complete 100% of registration, inspection and granting of fishing licenses according to regulations.

The Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee also emphasized that from now until September 30, 2023, units and localities need to strengthen propaganda and guidance for fishermen, fishing boat owners, and captains in the area to strictly implement the provisions of the law, regulations on combating IUU fishing, and not violating the exploitation of seafood in foreign waters. Urge ship owners to promptly complete the installation and operation of fishing vessel monitoring equipment according to regulations...At the same time, prepare the best conditions to welcome and work with the Inspection Delegation of the European Commission.