Mandatory regulations for fishing vessels, effective from 2020

Purse seine fishing brings high economic efficiency to fishermen in Quynh Long commune (Quynh Luu). Photo courtesy

In Article 25, Circular 23/2018/TT-BNNPTNT dated November 15, 2018 of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development clearly states:

Before January 1, 2020, fishing vessels are required to mark fishing vessels:

1. For fishing vessels with a maximum length of 6 meters to less than 12 meters, the entire cabin must be painted blue; in cases where the vessel does not have a cabin, the entire freeboard of the vessel must be painted blue.

2. For fishing vessels with a maximum length of 12 meters to less than 15 meters, the entire cabin must be painted yellow; in cases where the vessel does not have a cabin, the entire dry side of the vessel must be painted yellow.

3. For fishing vessels with a length of 15 meters or more, the entire cabin must be painted light gray; in cases where the vessel does not have a cabin, the entire dry side of the vessel must be painted light gray.

Quynh Luu fishermen go out to sea to catch a lot of seafood from iron-hulled boats. Photo: Archive

At Point e, Point g, Section 3, Article 44 of Decree 26/2019/ND-CP dated March 8, 2019 of the Prime Minister clearly states:

e) Roadmap for installing fishing vessel monitoring equipment: Fishing vessels with a maximum length of 24 meters or more must be installed before July 1, 2019; for trawling and tuna fishing vessels with a maximum length of 15 meters to less than 24 meters must be installed before January 1, 2020; fishing vessels with a maximum length of 15 meters to less than 24 meters must be installed before April 1, 2020.

g) The captain must ensure that the fishing vessel tracking device operates continuously 24 hours a day from the time the fishing vessel leaves the port until it arrives at the port. In case the fishing vessel tracking device is damaged, the captain must use other communication devices, report the fishing vessel's location to the fishing vessel tracking center at the central level and 28 coastal provinces, cities every 6 hours and must bring the vessel back to port for repairs within 10 days from the time the fishing vessel tracking device is damaged./.