Processing seafood for export - Illustrative image (Source: VNA) KienGiang (VNA) - Authorities of the Mekong Delta province of Kien Gianghave devised measures to minimise and eliminate illegal,unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, aiming to remove the EuropeanCommission (EC)’s “yellow card” warning against Vietnameseaquaculture products.
Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Mai Anh Nhin affirmed thelocality does not tolerate or cover up IUU fishing in domestic orinternational waters.
Local authorities have devised solutions to the issue, aiming to prevent and eradicateIUU fishing activities of Vietnamese andforeign organisations and individuals in Kien Giang’s waters, he said, stressing that this notonly promotes sustainable fishery development but also contributes to ensuring nationaland regional security.
In addition, the efforts will help end illegalfishing and exploitation by local fishing vessels and fishermen in waters of foreigncountries, towards EC withdrawing its “yellow card” against Vietnamese seafood.
Strict management of IUU fishing will protect and regenerate natural aquaticresources and aquatic ecosystems, thus ensuring the safe, effective andsustainable development of fisheries, Nhin added.
Local authorities have focused on implementing Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc’sdispatch and directive on urgent solutions to address the EC warnings againstIUU fishing and on fisheries inspection and management under the EC’sguidelines, he noted.
Nguyen Van Tam, Director of the provincial Department of Agriculture and RuralDevelopment, said Kien Giang has worked to raise law enforcement capacity ofagencies inspecting, supervising and controlling at sea, in fishing ports and markets.
Attention has been paid to addressing violating organisations and individualsto terminate illegal fishing by local vessels and anglers in foreign seas and establishingresponsible mechanisms for local officials over the issue.
Specialised inspection units have been instructed to strengthen law enforcementand handle violations of fisheries law in local waters, while working with otheragencies in stopping fishing ships and anglers which show signs of violating regulationsrelated to the EC’s warning on IUU fishing.
Efforts have been made to investigate, verify, detect and handle cases of fishingvessels and anglers being sent abroad illegally to fish in foreign waters.
The locality set up an information system for the surveillanceof fishing vessels operating at sea, while building a roadmap for thecompulsory installation of cruise control devices on all offshore fishingvessels, which will be connected to the Kien Giang fisheries sub-department’s surveillancestation on the shore.
The provincial Border Guards Command has directed its poststo strictly control fishing boats and fishermen that come in and out fishingports and stop them from going out to sea if they lack necessary procedures,papers and equipment.
A list of fishing ships and ship-owners that violateregulations related to the EC’s warning on IUU fishing is publicised monthly.Recidivists are not allowed to fish or build new ships, and do not enjoy theState’s support policies.
The province has promoted law dissemination in the community,raising public awareness of legal provisions related to delimitation of seaareas between Vietnam and neighbouring countries, especially overlapping waters between Vietnam and other countries.
Local authorities have also worked with relevant ministriesand sectors to promote diplomacy and negotiate and sign fishery cooperationagreements with other countries, enabling local fishing vessels to legally exploitinternational waters.
Statistics show that Kien Giang has 10,780 fishing vessels with an averagecapacity of 257 CV each, including nearly 4,500 offshore fishing ships.
Most of these are equipped with safety equipment in line withregulations. Kien Giang’s fisheries output is more than 545,000 tonnes per year,16 percent of whole country’s total.
The locality has recorded a decrease of local fishing shipsand anglers involved in IUU fishing. However, violations are still reported inwaters of neighbouring countries, with 28 fishing boats and about 200 locals detainedso far this year.
The EC issued the "yellow card" against Vietnameseaquaculture products on October 23 last year.
The "yellow card" is followed by a"green card" if issues are resolved or a "red card" if theyaren’t. A “red card” can lead to a trade ban on fishery products.
The Ministry of Agriculture and RuralDevelopment asked 28 coastal localities to strictly follow the Prime Minister’sdispatch and directive related to IUU fishing, intensify inspections andinvestigations on IUU fishing to stop IUU fishing in foreign waters.-VNA
VNA
