The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development responded to the petition of Nghe An voters on policies to support fishermen in overcoming risks caused by natural disasters.

The content of the proposal is as follows: Decision 118/2007/QD-TTg on policies to support fishermen in overcoming risks caused by natural disasters at sea was issued by the Government fromyJuly 25, 2007, but has not yet been implemented in Nghe An province due to lack of implementation instructions. Voters recommend that the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development coordinate with relevant ministries and branches to guide provinces and cities in implementation.

Reply:

On July 25, 2007, the Prime Minister issued Decision No. 118/2007/QD-TTg on policies to support fishermen in overcoming risks caused by natural disasters at sea. Accordingly, this Decision stipulates a number of policies to support organizations and individuals engaged in exploitation, aquaculture and fisheries logistics services at sea in overcoming risks caused by natural disasters such as storms, tropical depressions, tsunamis... occurring at sea; support organizations and individuals not belonging to the State's forces to participate in rescuing people and property at risk due to natural disasters at sea.

Border Guard forces call on ships to avoid the storm. Photo: Hai Thuong

After 15 years of implementation, Decision No. 118/2007/QD-TTg has truly come into life in most coastal provinces and centrally-run cities; creating mechanisms and policies for localities to support and overcome risks caused by natural disasters, helping fishermen feel secure in their production at sea, actively contributing to protecting national security and sovereignty at sea.

In addition, to answer and clarify some contents in the implementation of Decision No. 118/2007/QD-TTg in Nghe An province; on October 26, 2021, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development issued Document No. 7011/BNN-TCTS on the implementation of Decision No. 118/2007/Decision No. 106/QD-TTg sent to the People's Committee of Nghe An province.

Fishing boats of Dien Chau fishermen anchored to take shelter from the storm on the Bung River system. Photo: Xuan Hoang

Currently, performing assigned tasks, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural DevelopmentgThe Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development is coordinating with relevant ministries, branches and localities to study and develop a draft Decree amending and supplementing Decree No. 02/2017/ND-CP dated January 9, 2017 of the Government on mechanisms and policies to support agricultural production to restore production in areas damaged by natural disasters and epidemics to handle and overcome shortcomings and limitations, including research and integration of policies to support fishermen in overcoming risks caused by natural disasters at sea for unified implementation. It is expected to be submitted to the Government for consideration and promulgation in 2023.