8 boats fined for over VND 340 million for fishing violations

On March 27, the People's Committee of Thua Thien-- - Hue province organized a preliminary conference to review the patrol work to prevent and combat illegal fishing boat violations in coastal waters in 2023 and deploy tasks in 2024.

Data at the conference showed that in 2023, the Border Guard of Thua Thien-Hue province mobilized 9 times with 16 vehicles (ships, boats, border canoes) with 134 officers and soldiers participating in patrolling and controlling the waters and Tam Giang lagoon.

Border guard stations have coordinated with militia forces and police of coastal communes, wards and towns to organize 612 coastal patrols with 3,506 officers and soldiers participating.

During the year, the Border Guard of Thua Thien - Hue province directly arrested and handled 6 violations with 8 vehicles (1 ship in Da Nang, 1 ship in Binh Dinh, 3 ships in Quang Ngai), conducted verification, investigation and issued a decision to handle administrative violations in the form of a fine of more than VND 340 million.

At the same time, additional sanctions are applied such as revocation of the right to use the fisheries exploitation license for a limited time for 3 vehicle owners and revocation of the right to use the license to operate fishing vessels for a limited period of time for the captain...

In addition, they also filmed, recorded and issued warning records for 6 ships with violations .

Delegates attending the conference frankly pointed out the shortcomings and limitations in the work of patrolling and preventing illegal fishing vessels in coastal waters.

Specifically, some opinions say that the majority of out-of-province trawlers that violate coastal fisheries are of large size and capacity, mainly operating in the evening and at night. Border guard forces and vehicles have a small capacity, so the process of mobilizing and coordinating patrols, chasing and arresting violating out-of-province fishing vessels faces many difficulties and dangers.

Meanwhile, illegal fishing boats are very aggressive when discovered and inspected by border guards, some ships did not comply, intentionally fled, or resisted. Some fishermen families in localities are still facing economic difficulties. Even though they know their vehicles are not qualified to go to sea, they still work to make a living. When caught, their ability to comply with penalty decisions is low...

Mr. Hoang Hai Minh, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Thua Thien - Hue province requested forces and means to patrol, inspect and control the sea. This is to promptly detect, prevent, arrest and handle the activities of illegal fishing trawlers and violations of regulations on anti-fishing (IUU)...on local waters.

Leaders of Thua Thien-Hue province requested that district, town and coastal city authorities take measures to raise awareness and a sense of respect for the law for fishermen fishing at sea. They also need to mobilize fishermen and vehicle owners in the area not to participate in illegal fishing, detect, fight, prevent and promptly handle illegal fishing activities.