Nghe An proposes to improve the quality of equipment and signals for monitoring fishing vessels
(Baonghean.vn) - That is the content that Nghe An proposed at the online conference announcing Decision 81/QD-TTg implementing the Action Plan against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUU) of the Prime Minister organized by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development on the afternoon of February 20.
Chairing the conference from Hanoi was Comrade Phung Duc Tien - Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development. Also attending were representatives of ministries, branches and 28 coastal provinces and cities nationwide.
At Nghe An bridge, representatives of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development chaired; also attending were representatives of relevant departments and branches.
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Comrade Phung Thanh Vinh - Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development chaired the conference from Nghe An bridge. Photo: Nguyen Hai |
Opening the conference, a representative of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development stated the reason why the Prime Minister had to issue Decision No. 81/QD-TTg on implementing the Action Plan to combat IUU fishing.
Accordingly, to raise awareness among fishermen and the participation of the entire political system in removing the EC yellow card, from now until May 2023, a communication campaign will be launched nationwide and in international forums to ensure transparency and honesty about Vietnam's efforts to combat IUU fishing; diversify forms of propaganda, training, and dissemination to the fishing community and relevant organizations and individuals about regulations on combating IUU fishing.
In addition, it is necessary to complete the legal framework, mechanisms, policies to review, amend, and supplement legal documents according to the EC's recommendations and ensure that they are consistent with the practical situation according to shortened procedures. Strengthen monitoring, inspection, and control of fishing vessel activities: review and count the total number of local fishing vessels, complete 100% of registration, inspection, and marking of fishing vessels, issue fishing licenses, and install fishing vessel monitoring equipment (VMS) according to regulations; update 100% of fishing vessel data to the National Fisheries Database (VNFishbase).
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The interdisciplinary inspection team propagandized and mobilized a fishing boat owner in Nghi Son town (Thanh Hoa) to use illegal fishing equipment and destroy aquatic resources before imposing a fine. Photo: Nguyen Hai |
Vietnam aims to end illegal fishing in foreign waters; investigate and handle 100% of cases of Vietnamese fishing vessels being arrested and processed by foreign countries; punish 100% of cases of illegal fishing in foreign waters and publicize information on mass media; strengthen coordination between authorities and strictly 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.
At the meeting, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development said: Although beingIUU yellow card recommendationIt has been nearly 5 years and Vietnam has made many efforts to resolve the situation, but the situation of illegal fishing vessels in foreign waters is still widespread; the penalties for violations are still light, not deterrent. Therefore, compared to previous campaigns, the Prime Minister requires more drastic measures and clearer goals, localities must take action to create changes, associated with the responsibility of the leaders...
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After being invested 200 billion to upgrade, Lach Quen port (Quynh Luu) meets the infrastructure criteria to designate fishing vessels to dock and report on production monitoring. Photo: Nguyen Hai |
In Nghe An, implementing the above Decision, the province issued Document No. 319/UBND-NN dated January 16, 2023 to deploy a peak campaign with 5 contents and objectives, and at the same time assigned tasks to relevant departments, branches and members. As of February 20, 2023, the province has granted registration to 2,496 vessels, reaching 100%; inspected and marked 100% of fishing vessels according to regulations; granted fishing licenses to 100% of operating vessels; the total number of fishing vessels updated to VNFishbase software reached 100%. Installation of VMS voyage monitoring equipment reached 97.98%, while 23 vessels have not installed VMS; the rate of monitoring fish output through ports reached 80-90%.
(Excerpt from the Report of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Nghe An at the working session).
Attending the conference, Nghe An proposed that the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development direct units to improve the quality of equipment and signals for monitoring fishing vessels; strictly handle units providing VMS and signals that are not guaranteed; request central ministries and branches to continue paying attention to projects.infrastructure construction, upgrading ports, fishing wharves, anchorage areasStorm shelters and sand barriers at some key estuaries ensure that fishing vessels have sufficient conditions to dock at designated ports to unload goods, increasing post-exploitation value.
Concluding the working session, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Phung Duc Tien reiterated the message and spirit of the Prime Minister in the 180-day peak plan to remove the EC Yellow Card. He requested ministries, branches and localities to focus on implementing not only to remove the Yellow Card but also for the sustainable future of the Vietnamese seafood industry, affirming the reputation of Vietnamese seafood in the international market./.