Anti-IUU fishing for the future of Vietnam fisheries: Strong actions against fishing vessels

Concerted efforts and promising results

Similar to other coastal provinces nationwide, Ba Ria - Vung Tau is implementing measures to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing activities. The province is contributing to the nationwide effort to remove the EC's "yellow card" in addition to promoting sustainable and responsible fisheries development.

At the end of 2023, the Prime Minister criticized Ba Ria - Vung Tau for its lack of focus, coordination, and organization in implementing anti-IUU fishing measures. Consequently, the province must take decisive actions to promptly address outstanding issues in accordance with the EC's recommendations.

According to Mr. Nguyen Cong Vinh, Vice Chairman of the Ba Ria - Vung Tau Provincial People's Committee, the province has effectively implemented a coordination mechanism between various agencies, departments, local governments and law enforcement forces at sea. Subsequently, stakeholders can regularly monitor and access information regarding disconnected and trespassing fishing vessels at sea. As a result, the province has addressed the issue of fishing vessels engaging in illegal exploitation activities in international waters.

"To date, over 97 percent of fishing vessels with a minimum length of 15 meters in Ba Ria - Vung Tau province have installed vessel monitoring systems; over 96 percent of local fishing vessels have been granted licenses for offshore fishing; over 85 percent of '3 no' fishing vessels have been issued temporary registration numbers. Notably, the province has not received reports of fishing vessels engaging in illegal exploitation activities in international waters since August 2022," Mr. Nguyen Cong Vinh reported.

Additionally, Ba Ria-Vung Tau Provincial Party Committee issued and implemented Resolution No. 12-NQ/TU on the prevention and elimination of illegal exploitation activities in international waters. The Resolution has allowed the local government to effectively identify, inspect, and penalize fishermen who violate fishing regulations.

According to Ba Ria - Vung Tau province's Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, the province has completed the review of its registered fishing vessel fleet, and updated all relevant information into the national fishing vessel database. To date, the province has addressed and remedied two outstanding issues highlighted by the EC inspection team during their fourth inspection. These issues include administrative penalties for vessel owners operating without a fishing license, vessels operating at sea without an active voyage monitoring system, totaling over 1.3 billion Vietnamese dong; administrative penalties for eight fishing vessels with unidentified registration numbers at Phuoc Hiep port, Long Dien district.

Regarding "3 no" fishing vessels, the Provincial People's Committee has reviewed and compiled information on 1,081 vessels since the beginning of 2024. Subsequently, the Committee has directed local departments and governments to issue temporary registration numbers for management. As of March 31, a total of 595 "3 no" fishing vessels have been issued temporary registration numbers, which represents 55% of the total. The remaining vessels are scheduled to receive their temporary registration numbers by the end of April 2024.

The province currently manages a fleet of 4,484 fishing vessels, including 2,734 offshore fishing vessels. Notably, the province's fishing vessel fleet has been authorized for export to Europe. Within this group,  registered fishing vessels account for 86 percent, fishing vessels certified for food safety account for 99.74 percent, and fishing vessels equipped with vessel monitoring systems account for 96.82 percent.

Despite significant progress since the end of 2023, Mr. Nguyen Van Tho, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, acknowledged that Ba Ria - Vung Tau must complete several urgent tasks before the EC inspection team's scheduled arrival in May 2024.

As a result, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Phung Duc Tien has recently scored Ba Ria - Vung Tau's anti-IUU efforts at six out of ten. Despite concerted efforts and promising results, the evaluation process has accurately reflected the state of anti-IUU fishing activities within the province. This scoring will motivate the local government to improve and thoroughly address outstanding issues.

"We must overcome difficulties with thoroughness and determination. The province will assign each local government and department specific responsibility for coordination. On the other hand, local governments are responsible for managing their vessels in detail, with a focus on those unqualified for offshore fishing activities," emphasized Mr. Nguyen Van Tho.

Reinforcing local task forces to protect the national image

During his inspection of Ba Ria - Vung Tau's anti-IUU fishing efforts, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Minh Hoan stated: "The EC's 'yellow card' poses long-term benefits for Vietnam. Vietnam has existing regulations for combating illegal fishing activities; however, we failed to strictly implemente them in the past. The EC has helped raise awareness in implementing these regulations."

Ultimately, the EC's "yellow card" serves as a warning for Vietnam's agriculture sector as well as other industries.

"We must not allow a small number of people to damage Vietnam's image and reputation internationally for their personal interests. Removing the EC's 'yellow card' isn't just about the fisheries sector; it's about safeguarding national interests," emphasized Minister Le Minh Hoan.

With the vigorous intervention of law enforcement forces at sea, the number violating and trespassing fishing vessels has significantly decreased over the last few years. However, "the decrease in quantity has led to an increase in severity and recklessness." This assertion comes from Colonel Le Ba Quan, Deputy Commander and Chief of Staff of 2nd Regional Command.

Notably, the 2nd Regional Command recently discovered two fishing vessels from Phuoc Tinh commune, Long Dien district who disconnected their vessel monitoring systems to operate unauthorized fishing zones. Subsequently, these vessels resisted arrest and fled.

"In terms of the severity of violations, a small number of fishing vessels have employed increasingly elaborate measures to evade the law. There are still fishing vessels from Ba Ria - Vung Tau operating near border areas without a connected vessel monitoring system or required documentations for offshore fishing activities," Colonel Quan reported.

According to Article 5 under Decree No. 38/2024/ND-CP on administrative penalties in the fisheries sector, the maximum fine for an administrative violation committed by an individual in the fisheries sector is 1 billion Vietnamese dong. However, according to the Provincial Border Guard Command, a significant number of fishing vessels deliberately venture offshore without meeting regulations and accept to pay the administrative penalties. They are prepared to pay substantial fines in cash but refuse to present documentation or fail to meet port departure standards.

In addition to strictly enforcing legal measures, law enforcement forces have advocated  the employment of more severe penalties to deter offenders. "Administrative penalties may not suffice as a deterrent because despite their significant amount, offending fishing vessels may still profit. For deliberate violators, criminal prosecution should be utilized to enhance deterrence," proposed Colonel Quan.

According to Ms. Nguyen Thi Yen, Permanent Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, the province has not completed four out of the six targets set by Resolution No. 12. "Resolution No. 12 demands the prevention and elimination of illegal exploitation activities in international waters, not just reduction or restriction. Therefore, it requires stronger actions from local departments, agencies, and authorities," emphasized Ms. Nguyen Thi Yen.

The EC delegation is scheduled to visit and inpsect Vietnam's anti-IUU fishing efforts in May 2024. This visit will be critical to the removal of the EC's "yellow card." Accordingly, Ms. Nguyen Thi Yen urged local departments and governments to strictly implement anti-IUU fishing measures and seize this last opportunity.

Ms. Truong Thi Mai, Permanent Member of the Secretariat, recently signed Directive No. 32-CT/TW regarding the reinforcement of the Party's leadership in anti-IUU fishing efforts and promoting sustainable development of the fisheries sector. Accordingly, the Party Central Committee has requested local Party committees, Party organizations, governments, the Vietnam Fatherland Front, and political-social organizations to identify anti-IUU fishing as a crucial mission.