Evaluating the results of enforcement actions in fisheries exploitation in Nghe An.
On the morning of June 20th, the inspection team on the enforcement of laws regarding administrative violations in the fisheries sector held a working session with Nghe An province.
Participating in the working session, the delegation from the Ministry of Justice included: Mr. Ho Quang Huy - Head of the Department of Document Inspection and Administrative Violation Management, Ministry of Justice. Also participating were representatives from the Fisheries Inspection Department and the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment.
Representing Nghe An province were: Mr. Nguyen Van De - Member of the Provincial Party Committee, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee; Mr. Ho Quyet Thang - Deputy Commander of the Provincial Border Guard Command; and representatives from relevant units, departments, and localities.
Handling violations in a systematic manner, following the correct procedures.
A representative from the Ministry of Justice stated that the delegation's visit to Nghe An, in addition to assessing the practical situation regarding the control and handling of administrative violations in fisheries exploitation in the province, also aimed to exchange and receive feedback and recommendations from the locality on handling administrative violations as well as other tasks, with the goal of working together with the whole country to lift the IUU yellow card.
The inspection team conducted inspections on a total of 35 locations. Administrative violation penalty records in the fisheries sector related to IUU (Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated) fishing were issued between January 1, 2024, and March 15, 2025 (according to the numbered list compiled by the inspected agency), of which 21 records were decided by competent officials of agencies and units of the Provincial People's Committee and 14 records... The dossiers are decided upon by authorized officials of agencies and units under the Provincial Border Guard Command.
Based on the results of the work and reports on the implementation of laws on handling administrative violations, the Ministry of Justice has reached a preliminary conclusion on the results of the inspection of the implementation of laws on handling administrative violations in the fisheries sector at the People's Committee of Nghe An province and the Border Guard Command of Nghe An province.
The inspection process revealed that the enforcement of laws regarding administrative violations in the fisheries sector has received attention, direction, and decisive implementation from the leaders of the Nghe An Provincial People's Committee and the Provincial Border Guard Command, achieving certain positive results. Leadership and management have been prioritized; inspection and monitoring activities have been strengthened and carried out regularly.
The Provincial People's Committee and the Provincial Border Guard Command have directed departments, localities, and units to participate in drafting and providing feedback on legal documents as requested by competent authorities.
Specifically, the Department of Agriculture and Environment directed the Fisheries and Fisheries Inspection Sub-Department to coordinate with the Provincial Border Guard Command, the Provincial Police, and local authorities to conduct 22 patrols, inspections, and controls at estuaries and at sea. The Border Guard Command directed its units to develop and approve 42 monthly sea patrol and control plans; and issued plans for inspection, supervision, and guidance on investigation, verification, and handling of fishing vessels that lost VMS device connectivity at sea, and fishing vessels violating foreign waters.
The Coastal Border Guard Force spearheaded 566 patrols, inspections, and controls at river mouths, estuaries, boat mooring areas, and at sea.
The dissemination and education of laws, guidance, training, and professional development in handling administrative violations in the fisheries sector continue to receive attention. The handling of administrative violations, especially by the Border Guard force, is carried out systematically and in accordance with proper procedures.
Continue to address the remaining obstacles.
However, in reality, coordination between local authorities and functional forces is sometimes untimely, especially in verifying and clarifying cases with signs of violations related to loss of connectivity and exceeding the boundaries of permitted fishing areas at sea.
The process of handling violations still faces many difficulties and obstacles. During the meeting, participating delegates offered numerous opinions, highlighting both the results and the current situation, as well as the difficulties and obstacles encountered during implementation. For example, difficulties in detecting and handling violations related to the loss of VMS positioning device connectivity on fishing vessels, stemming from issues with service providers; and issues related to regulations on handling and enforcing penalty documents within the authority of various units, departments, and sectors…
Comrade Nguyen Van De, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, acknowledged and accepted the assessments and guidance of the working group. He also affirmed that the Provincial People's Committee will continue to direct departments, agencies, and units to comply with regulations. He further directed the strengthening of close coordination between the Border Guard force and relevant departments and agencies to ensure the effectiveness of the work.
The Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Nghe An province also expressed his hope that the Ministry of Justice would provide further guidance to improve the official documents and records that are not yet complete. He also requested increased training for local authorities on administrative procedures to help the province, along with the rest of the country, achieve the goal of removing the IUU yellow card sooner.
The inspection team also confirmed that they had noted the recommendations of the leaders of the Provincial People's Committee, the Provincial Border Guard Command of Nghe An, and other relevant agencies regarding the results of the work, in order to propose solutions to the competent authorities.