Nghe An strengthens monitoring of fishing vessels at high risk of illegal fishing

Accordingly,People's Committee of Nghe An provinceRequesting departments, branches and localities that are members of the Provincial IUU Steering Committee to implement the following specific contents:

Localities implement synchronously, effectively and efficiently the provisions of the fisheries law; overcome shortcomings and limitations according to the recommendations of the European Commission EC oncombating IUU fishing,yellow card removal in 2023. Determine the importance and urgency to assign and delegate specific tasks to affiliated agencies and units to implement, ensuring the correct progress and time as required by the Prime Minister.

The assigned agencies and units need to focus on strong leadership and direction, serious implementation, close and synchronous coordination to ensure the good completion of assigned tasks, on time.

The provincial inter-sectoral inspection force approached to inspect fishing procedures on a nearshore fishing vessel to detect tools and means of fishing that destroy aquatic resources. According to Plan 121/KH on launching a peak military campaign, the above acts will be thoroughly handled. Photo: Nguyen Hai

Regarding tasks and solutions until May 2023:

- For the field of communication and propaganda: launch a peak campaign on information and propaganda; regularly publish news, articles and contents of directive documents related to combating IUU fishing of the Central and the province on the province's mass media; promote forms of propaganda, training and dissemination to the fishing community and related organizations on regulations on combating IUU fishing.

Propaganda to remind fishermen at sea to ensure labor safety and strictly comply with fishing area licenses. Photo: Nguyen Hai

- Regarding the legal framework and policy mechanisms: review and amend legal documents according to the EC's recommendations and ensure they are consistent with local realities. Develop a policy mechanism to support fishermen in exploiting aquatic products to ensure full compliance with regulations on sustainable development.

- Regarding fleet management and monitoring and controlling fishing vessel activities: review and count the number of fishing vessels, complete 100% of registration, inspection, marking of fishing vessels, issue fishing licenses, install VMS fishing vessel monitoring equipment according to regulations. Make a list of fishing vessels that do not participate in fishing, fishing vessels at high risk of violating IUU fishing for monitoring and management.

Quynh Thuan Border Guard Station officers on duty check and complete procedures for fishermen leaving the port at the North Coast Control Station of Lach Quen Port. Photo courtesy

Update 100% of fishing vessel data into the national fisheries database; inspect and control 100% of fishing vessels entering and leaving ports at the Coast Guard Station/Border Guard Station, fishing vessels entering and leaving ports according to regulations, ensure VMS equipment operates continuously 24/7 from the time of departure until docking...; develop coordination regulations between localities to control 100% of fish of the province operating outside the province, fishing vessels of other provinces entering ports, making confirmation but performing certification in other provinces; develop policy mechanisms to support fishing vessel owners in purchasing and installing VMS equipment and subscription fees to maintain operations; advise on the establishment of local Fisheries Inspectorates and Fishing Vessel Inspection Centers according to regulations.

Nghe An Fisheries Surveillance Force propagates and explains before administratively handling fishing boat owners who violate fishing zones in 2022. Photo: Nguyen Hai

+ Law enforcement, administrative handling: Stop Nghe An fishing vessels from illegally exploiting in foreign waters; investigate and handle 100% of cases of Nghe An fishing vessels being captured by foreign countries; handle and punish 100% of cases of illegal seafood exploitation in foreign waters and inform the media; launch peak inspection and patrol campaigns in Nghe An waters and punish 100% of IUU fishing acts according to regulations; verify and handle 100% of fishing vessels that do not maintain VMS connection according to regulations; inspect, check and strictly handle designated ports, VMS equipment suppliers, businesses and organizations involved in IUU violations.

Provincial leaders, together with the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Port Management Board, checked VMS signals of fishing vessels at sea. Photo: Nguyen Hai

Along with implementing the peak tasks until May 2023, the People's Committee of Nghe An province has proposed long-term solutions including developing programs and projects for sustainable fisheries development, making adequate investments to ensure the conservation and restoration of marine ecosystems, restructuring the fisheries industry towards reducing exploitation intensity, increasing aquaculture; building support and policy mechanisms to encourage the reduction of the number of fishing vessels...