A decade fisheries surveillance force and fishermen have clung to the sea

The delightful yet challenging pathway

The ceremony commemorating the 65th anniversary of the traditional day of the Fisheries Sector and the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the Vietnam Fisheries Surveillance was organized by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development on March 29.

Director of Vietnam Fisheries Surveillance Nguyen Quang Hung presented an address that outlined the formation and evolution of the fisheries force during the previous decade, as well as the unit's noteworthy accomplishments and future development goals.

As per Ordinance No. 18 dated May 5, 1989, addressing the preservation and development of fisheries resources, Hung stated that fisheries surveillance was established, promoted, and unified from the central to the coastal provinces and cities. By means of its operational procedure, the fisheries surveillance force has demonstrated its critical function in upholding legislation pertaining to the safeguarding of fisheries resources.

During its ninth session on July 17, 2012, the Standing Committee of the 13th National Assembly considered and granted approval to the Vietnam Fisheries surveillance Force, as proposed by the government. Additionally, the committee tasked the government with the immediate development and issuance of a decree pertaining to the structure and functioning of the fisheries surveillance force.

The government issued Decree No. 102 regulating the structure and functioning of the fisheries surveillance force on November 29, 2012. The fisheries surveillance force was formally inaugurated in Danang on April 15, 2014. The event was graced with the presence and approval of the Prime Minister, government leaders, department heads, representatives of provincial people's committees, and the Departments of Agriculture and Rural Development from 28 coastal provinces and cities. The official opening took place after a period of quick construction and organizational enhancement. This eventous occasion signified the establishment and implementation of the Vietnam Fisheries Surveillance System.

The head of Vietnam Fisheries Surveillance, Mr. Nguyen Quang Hung, stated that the fisheries surveillance force has patrolled the seas day and night for the past decade, mobilizing more than 1,500 vessels for surveillance, control, and patrol of fishing activities in Vietnamese waters. Furthermore, they have identified and managed more than 12,000 cases of fishing vessels contravening regulations related to illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing activities, issuing fines amounting to nearly 100 billion VND that are to be transferred to the state budget.

Assigning the Vietnam Fisheries Surveillance a permanent advisory role on matters pertaining to IUU combat and the removal of EC's "yellow card" has been established. EC has acknowledged and valued solutions for IUU combat and "yellow card" removal after six years of mission.

Thus far, the legal framework has undergone revisions and enhancements in order to conform to the mandates of the European Commission (EC). The administration has been essentially streamlined and modernized to encompass all fishing vessels across the nation by utilizing digital technology integrated into the VNFishbase software platform. Around 98% of fishing vessels measuring 15 meters or longer are outfitted with vessel monitoring system (VMS) devices. These devices enable the administration and tracking of maritime operations via the software of the VMS system.

By meticulously controlling the traceability, verification, and certification of domestically harvested and imported seafood products via seaports, legal compliance is ensured throughout the processing and export to the EU market stages. In comparison to prior years, the number of unauthorized fishing vessels and fishermen, specifically those transgressing IUU fishing regulations in international waters, has declined substantially.

The activities of law enforcement have been fortified through the synchronization and coordination of implementation at the local to central levels. In order to coordinate the resolution of fisheries issues and incidents at sea, increased information exchange among law enforcement agencies in the South China Sea region is emphasizing, promoting, and enhancing international cooperation.

The Director of Vietnam Fisheries Surveillance remarked that in the ten years since the organization's inception, which is a relatively brief span, it has been through a multitude of favorable and challenging events.

"Irrespective of the circumstances, the Vietnam Fisheries surveillance Force has consistently outperformed in the completion of all assigned duties over the past decade." Mr. Hung boastfully remarked, "This accomplishment is the result of our allegiance to the Party and the people, our sense of responsibility, solidarity, and unity, and most importantly, the commitment of every official, civil servant, and worker in the entire force."

An effort is being made to create a "regulated, agile, and modern" fisheries surveillance force.

Nevertheless, in light of the accomplishments, Mr. Hung asserts that the fisheries surveillance force continues to confront a number of challenges that must be resolved in order to conform to the demands of the new circumstance.

Striving to develop the “regulated, agile, modern" fisheries surveillance force

Henceforth, the Fisheries surveillance Department shall concentrate on a number of task groups: further advising on the enhancement of the institutional framework and policies pertaining to fisheries surveillance; allocating resources towards the procurement of contemporary vessels for fisheries surveillance; and finalizing the organizational structure, with a particular emphasis on the advancement of local fisheries surveillance. Our objective is to establish a fisheries surveillance force that is "modern, streamlined, and regulated."

Developing an implementation plan for the programs and projects after their approval; finalizing the submission to the Prime Minister of programs and projects in accordance with the plan, with the "Project for the Development of the Fisheries Surveillance Force until 2030, with a vision to 2045" receiving priority.

Increasing training and specialization in fisheries surveillance for Fisheries surveillance Department and local Fisheries Surveillance Sub-department officials, inspectors, and crew members of fisheries surveillance vessels.

Maintaining collaboration with important armed forces to bolster maritime patrols, surveillances, and regulatory oversight of fishing operations along coastlines, while also disseminating pertinent information regarding the sea and islands. Prioritize the execution of initiatives aimed at addressing the issue of illegal, unregulated, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, alleviate the "yellow card" warning issued by the European Commission to safeguard the country's standing, reputation, and image on the global stage, and mitigate economic setbacks for the economy.

Ensuring the effective implementation of the Prime Minister-approved Program for the Protection and Development of Fisheries Resources until 2030, with an extended outlook to 2045, in order to promote the sustainable growth of the fishing industry.

Enhancing global collaboration, with a particular focus on establishing and promoting efficient hotlines for fisheries surveillance between Vietnam and neighboring countries, in order to mitigate the frequency with which Vietnamese fishing vessels are apprehended and handled by foreign authorities.