Quynh Luu is determined to have the yellow card lifted in seafood exploitation.

Emphasis on public awareness campaigns.

Son Hai commune, a coastal area in Quynh Luu district, has 162 fishing vessels engaged in seafood exploitation; of which approximately 54 are longline fishing vessels operating in the open sea of ​​the northern Gulf of Tonkin, bordering Chinese waters. This is also the locality with the highest rate of fishing vessels violating regulations on combating IUU (Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated) fishing in the district in recent times. Following the directives of the Provincial and District People's Committees on combating IUU fishing, Son Hai commune is actively implementing various solutions with high determination.

Aware of their responsibilities in fishing at sea, fishermen in Son Hai commune have recently complied well with legal regulations against IUU (Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated) fishing; prohibited acts in fisheries activities; and regulations on vessel tracking devices. Crew member Nguyen Van Tung from Son Hai commune shared: “Before departing, we must present all necessary documents such as registration, inspection, licensing, vessel marking, captain's certificate, engineer's certificate, and crew member's card. When fishing in the open sea, we only fish in our own waters, not violating foreign waters, and strictly comply with regulations on activating vessel tracking devices and keeping complete fishing logs, so that we can quickly get rid of the ‘yellow card’.”

Before the ships depart, officers from the Lach Quen Control Station, Quynh Thuan Border Guard Post, check the connection of the vessel's tracking devices with the relevant authorities and educate fishermen on strictly complying with regulations against IUU fishing. Lieutenant Colonel Pham Huu Tinh, Political Officer of the Quynh Thuan Border Guard Post, said that the post manages fishing vessels from 10 communes with 925 vessels. From the beginning of 2024 to the present, the unit has advised the District People's Committee to issue 158 directive documents; organized 3 training sessions with 500 participants; and organized fishermen to sign commitments to comply with regulations on IUU fishing...

“Before processing the paperwork, we thoroughly check all licenses, technical safety equipment, especially the operational status of the vessel tracking device; we inspect, verify, and advise on handling violations of IUU fishing practices according to the law. We absolutely do not allow fishing vessels to leave port or dock for fishing without complete paperwork, equipment, and compliance with the legal requirements for seafood exploitation,” Lieutenant Colonel Pham Huu Tinh added.

Determined to have the IUU "yellow card" lifted.

In recent times, Quynh Luu district and relevant agencies have intensified propaganda efforts to help fishermen understand the consequences of violating foreign waters and fishing in prohibited areas, thereby changing their awareness. However, some fishing vessel owners still disregard regulations against IUU (Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated) fishing. From the beginning of 2024 to the present, the Chairman of the People's Committee of Quynh Luu district has issued administrative penalties against 71 vessel owners/captains for violations related to malfunctioning vessel tracking devices and fishing in prohibited areas, with a total fine of nearly 1.8 billion VND according to Clause 2, Article 35, Decree 42/2019/ND-CP on administrative penalties in the field of fisheries; and revoked the fishing vessel captain's certificate for 16 captains for periods ranging from 1 to 4.5 months.

With the determination to lift the "yellow card" warning issued by the European Commission in 2024, Quynh Luu district is mobilizing the entire political system to disseminate information, educate, and raise awareness among ship owners and businesses involved in the exploitation and processing of seafood; strictly manage the group of fishing vessels with "three no's" (no registration, no fishing license, no inspection certificate); and thoroughly address cases of fishing vessels losing connection with their vessel tracking devices at sea, and fishing vessels violating foreign waters... During implementation, the role and responsibility of leaders must be emphasized; and organizations and individuals who fail to perform their assigned tasks must be severely punished.

With great effort and determination, as of October 2024, 308 fishing vessels belonging to fishermen in Quynh Luu district that had lost their vessel tracking system connectivity at sea were detected and processed by the authorities. In addition, 115 out of 130 fishing vessels lacking the required documentation (3 no's, no permits, no registration) have had their applications completed and been licensed to operate at sea in accordance with regulations (achieving a rate of 88.4%).

Along with the rest of the country, Nghe An province in general, and Quynh Luu district in particular, are making determined efforts to achieve concrete results and clear improvements between now and the European Commission's inspection, which is expected to visit Vietnam at the end of 2024, in order to be recognized and have the "yellow card" warning lifted.

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Strengthening measures to prevent and combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing is a crucial and urgent task with long-term significance for the sustainable development of the fisheries sector; it is the responsibility of the entire political system and society. The district, in coordination with relevant agencies, will promptly control and handle violations both onshore and at sea, resolutely preventing and ending illegal fishing by fishing vessels and fishermen in foreign waters. Simultaneously, it will restructure the fisheries sector towards transparency, responsibility, and sustainability. This will help improve the quality of life for fishermen and contribute to protecting the sovereignty of the nation's maritime territories.
Following the European Commission's request, even if only one fishing vessel remains in violation, the "yellow card" cannot be lifted. Therefore, Quynh Luu district and relevant authorities need to implement decisive action plans, change the management system, and strengthen penalties. More than anyone else, the fishermen and vessel owners themselves need to change their mindset to fishing responsibly and comply with regulations in marine resource exploitation. Only then can violations against IUU fishing be limited, and the efforts of fishermen who consistently strive to comply with regulations be rewarded.

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