Fishing - Exploitation or extinction?

Full of violations
Recently, authorities in Nghe An province have continuously detected and handled many violations. Most recently, on March 14, 2018, while patrolling an area about 1 nautical mile southeast of Hon Ngu Island, the patrol force of the Cua Lo - Ben Thuy Port Border Guard Station (Nghe An Border Guard) discovered and seized 3 vessels using trawls and electric fishing nets to illegally catch seafood.

Authorities in Nghe An province inspect boats violating fishing regulations. Photo: Phuong Thao

The seized vessels included boat number NA 4706TS owned by Mr. Tran Van Tinh (39 years old), from Dien Thanh commune, Dien Chau district, which was illegally fishing using trawling nets; an unregistered boat owned by Mr. Nguyen Doan Doan (44 years old), from Tan Nho block, Nghi Hai ward, Cua Lo town; and vessel number HT 2015TS owned by Mr. Nguyen Van Nham (56 years old), from Xuan Hoi commune, Nghi Xuan district, Ha Tinh province, which was illegally fishing using electric trawling nets.

On the same day, while patrolling at sea, a Nghe An fisheries patrol vessel discovered two fishing boats using electric shock devices to catch seafood near the shore. These were the boats of Nguyen Van Trieu from Tien Thuy commune, Quynh Luu district, and Vu Sy Thanh from Dien Ngoc commune, Dien Chau district. Upon inspection, the Nghe An fisheries patrol force found two electric shock devices and hundreds of meters of electrical wire on board the two boats.

In the first three months of 2018 alone, the inspection force of the Nghe An Fisheries Sub-Department issued administrative violation notices to 23 vessels, including 16 vessels using electric shock devices and 4 vessels operating outside designated fishing zones. The total fines amounted to 121 million VND, and 16 electric shock devices and 70 meters of electrical wire were confiscated.

These practices are not permitted by law because they are destructive forms of exploitation that cause significant and long-lasting harm to the natural environment, especially in coastal areas. For example, with trawling, the method involves spreading a mesh net with very small holes in a horizontal line; wherever the boat goes, it collects all kinds of aquatic life. With this method, even small fish and shrimp cannot escape, and coral reefs are destroyed.

According to regulations, large trawlers are only licensed to fish offshore and in certain designated areas. However, during the breeding season, many trawlers disregard regulations, fishing outside designated areas and close to the shore to maximize their catch.
More common is the use of explosives and electric shock devices for fishing. Simply by connecting a power source to a battery and attaching a pair of iron rods to the bow of the boat, this system generates a very powerful electric shock capable of destroying many aquatic and marine species in close proximity.

A long-term solution is needed.

According to Mr. Tran Chau Thanh, Head of the Inspection and Legal Affairs Department of the Nghe An Fisheries Sub-Department, for vessels regulated to fish in offshore and inshore areas but still operating near the shore, the activities of these individuals are very sophisticated, avoiding all control by inspection forces and the coast guard...

Meanwhile, the specialized forces are short of both manpower and resources, making it difficult to cover the problem effectively. Regarding the use of prohibited equipment by coastal fishermen for fishing, the main reason stems from difficult economic conditions; they lack the capital to upgrade to larger, more powerful vessels for offshore fishing. Instead, they can purchase explosives and electrical wires for just a few tens or hundreds of thousands of dong, which is both convenient and yields high catches, leading to the practice of overfishing that ultimately destroys the fish population.
Given the persistent causes of this situation, the authorities in Nghe An need to implement a comprehensive set of solutions to promptly prevent it and protect the long-term livelihoods of people in coastal areas. For vessels operating outside designated fishing zones, strict action must be taken in accordance with regulations to increase deterrence, and inspections should be intensified in conjunction with receiving reports from the public.

At the Nghe An Fisheries Sub-Department, in the first quarter of 2018, 32 calls were received via hotline, including 11 calls reporting trawling vessels operating near the shore and 2 calls reporting vessels using electric shock devices for fishing. Thanks to this, the authorities were able to quickly identify and address violations promptly.
For fishermen engaged in destructive inshore fishing practices, it is necessary to strengthen awareness campaigns and develop alternative livelihoods to provide them with alternative employment. Currently, the government is encouraging investment in building larger vessels for offshore fishing and focusing on targeted fishing in designated fishing grounds to ensure a clean seafood supply chain. Effectively implementing this policy is a long-term solution to prevent the aforementioned destructive fishing practices.

Electric fishing devices and explosives used for catching aquatic and marine life were seized. Photo: Phuong Thao

Furthermore, a crucial solution is to educate the public about the consequences of illegal fishing, helping them realize that ending destructive fishing practices is the best way to regenerate natural aquatic resources and ensure their long-term livelihoods.

This requires decisive and coordinated action from local authorities and relevant agencies, creating a high degree of synergy and unity in the fight against and preservation of the marine ecosystem.

According to Clause 4, Article 14 of Government Decree 103/2013/ND-CP on administrative penalties for violations in fisheries activities, fishing in prohibited areas or using destructive fishing gear at sea will be subject to a fine of 6-8 million VND.

Phuong Thao