2 Fisheries Surveillance Departments rally to fight IUU fishing

Accordingly, the Ca Mau Fisheries Surveillance Department and Kien Giang Fisheries Surveillance Department will coordinate to organize patrols, and inspections, and control the compliance with regulations in the field of exploitation and protection of aquatic resources of fishing vessels at fishing ports. The activities will be carried out in areas where fishing vessels anchor, outside the estuary and at sea...

Consequently, increasing the presence of functional forces, promptly prevents and handles violations of the law in fisheries activities by fishing vessels, especially serious violations related to illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. At the same time, prevent and limit to a minimum the situation of disputes over fishing grounds in the sea areas of the two provinces, detect IUU violations and strictly handle them in accordance with the law.

While patrolling, inspecting, controlling, organizing propaganda, educating, raising awareness of law enforcement and supervising law enforcement by organizations and individuals in protecting and sustainably developing aquatic resources and ensuring security and order in the seas and islands of the two provinces.

In particular, focus on propagandizing the installation of equipment to monitor fishing vessels' journeys and sealing equipment; propaganda and lobbying ship owners and captains not to violate foreign waters; open 24/7 cruise monitoring equipment from the time vessels leave the port to operate at sea until vessels arrive at the port. At the same time, support, help and create favourable conditions for fishermen during fisheries exploitation activities.

According to the plan, in 2024, the Ca Mau Fisheries Surveillance Department and Kien Giang Fisheries Surveillance Department will coordinate to implement 4 working sessions, each session lasting from 10 to 15 days, including holidays, Saturdays and Sundays.

For the Ca Mau coastal area, inspection will be coordinated at the seaports, fishing ports and bordering waters between the two provinces of Ca Mau and Kien Giang, Hon Chuoi and Hon Khoai Island clusters, areas bordering Bac Lieu and checking fishing vessels docking at Song Doc and Rach Goc ports.

In Kien Giang waters, the Departments will coordinate inspections at seaports, fishing ports and bordering waters between the two provinces of Ca Mau and Kien Giang, the sea area from Rach Tieu Dua (An Minh) to Mui Nai (Ha Tien), Kien Hai and Phu Quoc.

During patrol and general inspection, if a fishing vessel is discovered violating the waters of any province, it will be assigned to the force of that province to handle it according to its authority and in accordance with the provisions of the law.

In addition, daily forces participating in implementing the plan of the two units are responsible for reporting to the Directors of the Fisheries Surveillance Department of the two provinces. This is so that leaders can grasp information and have timely direction and handling of issues related to the coordinative works.

Mr. Nguyen Viet Trieu, Deputy Director of the Ca Mau Fisheries Surveillance Department said: the strengthening close coordination between the forces of the two provinces facilitates exchange and learning experience in the management of fishing activities in the waters of Ca Mau - Kien Giang provinces.

Consequently, promptly preventing and strictly handling organizations and individuals using illegal fishing means. This serves to rectify and reorganize exploitation activities and protect aquatic resources in coastal waters and open areas of the two provinces of Ca Mau - Kien Giang.

"In addition, it is possible to propagate and guide fishermen to properly implement the provisions of the law on fisheries, gradually raising public awareness about preserving and regenerating aquatic resources. The goals also include contributing to the development of responsible fisheries and effective exploitation with sustainable aquatic resources, contributing to ensuring security in the waters of the two provinces", Mr Trieu shared.

Ca Mau Fisheries Surveillance Department was established under Decision No. 268/QD-UBND dated February 15, 2024, by the Chairman of the Ca Mau Provincial People's Committee. It is an administrative unit directly under the Department of MARD, officially coming into operation on March 1, 2024. Mr. Nguyen Viet Trieu - Deputy Director of the Department of Fisheries was transferred and assigned to hold the position of Deputy Director in charge of the Ca Mau Provincial Fisheries Surveillance Department. Ca Mau Fisheries Surveillance Department and Kien Giang Fisheries Surveillance Department are the first two Fisheries Surveillance Departments established in the country.