Quynh Luu determined to remove yellow card in seafood exploitation

Focus on propaganda work

Son Hai is a coastal commune of Quynh Luu district with 162 fishing vessels exploiting seafood; of which there are about 54 fishing vessels specializing in fishing in the open sea of ​​the North Gulf of Tonkin, bordering the Chinese sea. This is also the locality with the highest rate of fishing vessels violating anti-IUU fishing regulations in the district in recent times. Closely following the direction of the Provincial and District People's Committees on anti-IUU fishing, Son Hai commune is actively implementing many solutions with a high spirit of determination.

Fully aware of their responsibilities in the process of catching seafood at sea, in recent times, fishermen in Son Hai commune have complied with the legal regulations against IUU fishing; prohibited acts in fisheries activities; and regulations on voyage monitoring equipment. Crew member Nguyen Van Tung in Son Hai commune shared: “Before leaving port, we must present all documents such as registration, inspection, licensing, fishing vessel marking, captain's certificate, chief engineer's certificate, and crew card. When fishing in the open sea, we only exploit our own waters, do not violate foreign waters, and strictly comply with the regulations on opening fishing vessel monitoring equipment, recording full fishing logs, in order to quickly remove the "yellow card".

Before the ship departed, officers from Lach Quen Control Station, Quynh Thuan Border Guard Station checked the connection of the ship's journey monitoring device with the authorities and propagated to fishermen to strictly comply with regulations on combating IUU fishing. Lieutenant Colonel Pham Huu Tinh - Political Commissar of Quynh Thuan Border Guard Station said that the station manages fishing vessels of 10 communes with 925 vehicles. From the beginning of 2024 up to now, the unit has advised the District People's Committee to issue 158 directives; organized 3 propaganda classes with 500 participants; organized fishermen to write commitments to comply with regulations on IUU fishing...

“Before carrying out procedures, we strictly check all types of licenses, technical safety equipment, especially the operating status of the journey monitoring equipment; check, verify and advise on handling IUU fishing violations according to the law. Absolutely do not allow fishing vessels to leave the port or dock to operate when they do not have all the necessary paperwork, equipment and do not ensure the requirements for seafood exploitation according to the law”, added Senior Lieutenant Colonel Pham Huu Tinh.

Determined to remove the IUU "yellow card"

In recent times, Quynh Luu district and relevant agencies have stepped up propaganda work to help fishermen understand the consequences of violating foreign waters and exploiting in the wrong areas, thereby changing fishermen's awareness. However, there are still some fishing boat owners who disregard IUU fishing violations. From the beginning of 2024 to now, the Chairman of the People's Committee of Quynh Luu district has issued decisions to administratively sanction 71 boat owners/captains for not complying with regulations in cases where the fishing vessel tracking device is damaged or in the wrong fishing area, with a total fine of nearly 1.8 billion VND according to Clause 2, Article 35, Decree 42/2019/ND-CP on administrative sanctions in the field of fisheries; revoked the right to use fishing boat captain certificates for 16 captains from 1 month to 4.5 months.

With the determination that in 2024, together with the whole country, we will remove the "yellow card" that the European Commission has warned, Quynh Luu district is mobilizing the entire political system to propagate, mobilize, and raise awareness for ship owners, production and business establishments related to seafood exploitation and processing; strictly manage the group of "3 no" fishing vessels (no registration, no fishing license, no inspection); thoroughly handle the group of fishing vessels that lose connection to the journey monitoring device at sea, fishing vessels that violate foreign waters... During the implementation process, it is necessary to promote the role and responsibility of the head; at the same time, strictly handle organizations and individuals who do not perform their assigned tasks.

With great efforts and determination, by October 2024, 308 fishing vessels of fishermen in Quynh Luu district that lost connection to monitoring their journeys at sea were detected and handled by the authorities. In addition, 115/130 "3 no" fishing vessels were guided by authorities at all levels to complete their documents and were licensed to operate at sea in accordance with regulations (reaching a rate of 88.4%).

Along with the whole country, Nghe An province in general, especially Quynh Luu district, is making determined efforts from now until the inspection by the European Commission scheduled to come to Vietnam at the end of this year 2024 to have specific results and clear changes to be recognized and have the "yellow card" warning removed.

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Strengthening measures to prevent and combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing is an important, urgent task of long-term significance for the sustainable development of the fisheries sector; it is the responsibility of the entire political system and society. The district coordinates with the authorities to promptly control and handle both onshore and at sea, resolutely preventing and stopping fishing vessels and fishermen from illegally exploiting in foreign waters. At the same time, restructuring the fishing industry towards transparency, responsibility and sustainability. Thereby, helping to improve the quality of life for fishermen, contributing to protecting the sovereignty of the sea and islands of the Fatherland.
From the request of the European Commission, even if there is only one fishing vessel violating, the "yellow card" cannot be removed. Therefore, Quynh Luu district and relevant agencies need to have drastic action plans, change the management system, and increase penalties. And more than anyone else, fishermen and fishing vessel owners also need to change their mindset of responsible fishing, comply with regulations in seafood exploitation. Only then can violations against IUU fishing be limited, not in vain the efforts of fishermen who always strive to comply with regulations.

Mr. Nguyen Xuan Dinh - Vice Chairman of Quynh Luu District People's Committee