Implementing IUU, Nghe An will strictly handle 100% of fishing vessels violating

Overview of the working session of the Provincial Steering Committee on IUU to deploy the peak campaign in 2023. Photo: Nguyen Hai

The summary report on the results of 5 years of implementing the EC's recommendations on the yellow card for our country's seafood presented by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development shows that, in order to implement the directions of the Standing Secretariat and the Directives and Conclusions of the Prime Minister, as well as 28 coastal provinces nationwide, Nghe An has had many solutions to implement regulations oncombating IUU fishing.

Specifically, in the past 5 years, along with issuing many leadership and directive documents, the province has issued a number of support policies to remove difficulties for fishermen in implementing regulations of the law.Fisheries Law 2017; help people continue to go offshore to fish.

Comrade Tran Xuan Hoc - Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development reported on the results of 5 years of implementing the EC's recommendations and solutions to remove the yellow card in the area. Photo: Nguyen Hai

Based on the allocated quota, Nghe An has granted 1,242 offshore fishing licenses, 654 offshore fishing licenses and 1,953 coastal fishing licenses to fishermen.

As of December 31, 2022, the province had 1,118/1,141 fishing vessels installed VMS voyage monitoring equipment, reaching 97.98%. Inspection and supervision of fishing vessels and port loading and unloading output are increasingly stricter; the number of fishing vessels violating foreign waters and losing VMS connection has decreased.

Representatives of the People's Committee of Dien Ngoc Commune (Dien Chau), a locality with many fishing vessels violating fishing zones, reported on the results of IUU compliance and proposed policies to support fishermen in installing VMS because their old equipment was severely damaged. Photo: Nguyen Hai

However, like the provinces, after the European Commission's inspection visit to our country in October 2022, the EC representative pointed out a number of limitations such as the situation of fishermen illegally exploiting foreign waters, the weak supervision of ships entering and leaving ports, and the situation oflost VMS connection while fishingStill, the traceability of seafood is not transparent.

Specifically, in Nghe An, in 2022, there were still 370 fishing vessels that lost VMS signals for more than 10 days, 242 vessels crossed the permitted boundary line at sea; monitoring of fish output at ports is still low compared to the catch. Inspection and handling are mainly in the form of reminders, penalties are not strict. Meanwhile, local authorities have not really taken drastic action.

Fishermen complete procedures before leaving the port at Lach Quen fishing port (Quynh Luu). Photo: Nguyen Hai

In preparation for the EC's working trip scheduled to take place in April 2023, at the end of 2022, the Prime Minister issued a Directive on openingpeak period of implementation against illegal IUU fishingBased on this direction, Nghe An issued Document No. 319/UBND-NN dated January 16, 2023 to deploy a peak campaign with 5 main contents and assign tasks to relevant departments, branches and members.

Representatives of the Quynh Thuan Border Guard Station Command reported on difficulties and obstacles in handling and punishing fishing vessels that lost connection or violated maritime boundaries. Photo: Nguyen Hai

Based on the assessment of the results of IUU implementation in the past time and the requirements of tasks in the new period, representatives of localities and departments and branches pointed out a number of difficulties and problems in the practical implementation of the EC's recommendations at localities and establishments.

At the end of the working session, Mr. Nguyen Van De - Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee praised the efforts of localities and functional forces in implementing the EC's recommendations and inspecting and complying with IUU regulations over the past 5 years. However, from the actual inspection, supervision, and management of IUU fishing, there are still some limitations.

Comrade Nguyen Van De - Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, Head of the Provincial Steering Committee on IUU concluded the working session. Photo: Nguyen Hai

Emphasizing the requirement to launch a peak campaign to remove the yellow card in accordance with the direction of the Prime Minister, the Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee said that 100% of violations will be strictly handled and not stopped at making commitments or reminding violations; at the same time, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development will be assigned to complete the draft Resolution on support policies for fishing vessels exploiting aquatic products in offshore areas, study plans to upgrade dredging channels, fishing port logistics areas, and ship anchorages in localities with sedimentation; departments and branches will seriously implement the Central's directive documents.