Bac Lieu does an excellent job of complying with IUU regulations

The highlight in combat against IUU exploitation

As of September 2023, indicators of fishing vessels equipped with positioning devices, recording fishing logs, reporting output and types of fishing, and non-infringement of foreign waters of Bac Lieu province reached 100%. These results were achieved thanks to the efforts of all levels of government, functional agencies and the awareness of fishermen.

While busy transferring seafood to Ganh Hao Fishing Port, Mr. Nguyen Van Hai, a crew member from Kien Giang province, still took the time to answer reporters from Vietnam Agriculture News about the difficulties of seafaring.

Mr. Hai said, that since Vietnam's seafood was imposed a "yellow card" by the EC, shrimp and fish prices have been gradually sinking. Meanwhile, all other things such as gasoline and raw materials for fishing increased.

“Our sea voyages have become even more burdensome because of profit and the fact that we must comply with regulations against IUU fishing. However, we still try to encourage each other to comply well with the provisions of the law so that one day shortly we will be able to remove the EC's 'yellow card' ", Mr. Hai said confidently.

Mr. Ngo Ba Hung (Ward 2, Bac Lieu City) has a squid fishing boat captained by his son that has been sailing for more than 2 months and shared: Even though I stay home to look after my children, I still know where the vessel is and can contact my children at any time. When the weather is bad or the ship shows signs of violating foreign waters, I contact them immediately to remind them. It's all thanks to the cruise monitoring device mounted on the fishing boat.

Mr. Tran Quoc Nam (from Ca Mau province) has just docked his ship at Ganh Hao port and shared: Before going out to sea, we all encouraged each other, even if we lost money in fishing, to comply with the regulations against IUU fishing. Fishing vessels must be equipped with 24/7 cruise monitoring equipment and operate in waters permitted for exploitation, not sneaking through foreign waters. During the mining process, we keep a complete diary of the journey, output, and type. When we want to enter a certain seaport to sell products, we call the authorities 1 hour in advance. After landing, the exploitation log book will be brought to report the yield and type.

Mr. Nguyen Van Bay (from Ca Mau province) while presenting the log book to the Ganh Hao Fishing Port Management Board said: "With the EC 'yellow card', seafood prices are always unstable, so the fishermen and I always tell each other to try to do well the things prescribed by the State to get rid of it soon".

Mr. Tran Hai Tho, captain of the fishery surveillance ship of the Bac Lieu Fisheries Department, said: The unit coordinated with Border Guard Squadron 2 to deploy 4 sea control patrols with 43 vehicles and propagate the law 103 times with 677 fishermen. The unit also coordinated with Coast Guard Region 4 to conduct patrols and control of the sea area. Thanks to good coordination between units, the situation of violations at sea has decreased significantly.

"With the initial work of receiving and checking catch logs and origin reports, my staff and I witness changes in the consciousness of fishermen every day. Although recording is difficult for fishermen, now people have gradually gotten used to it and can do it efficiently", Mr Le Thanh Dam, Director of the Fishing Port Management Board and Storm Anchoring Area for fishing vessels in Bac Lieu province shared. 

4 tasks and solutions to combat IUU fishing

Mr. Pham Van Thieu, Chairman of Bac Lieu Provincial People's Committee emphasized: that Bac Lieu province drastically and synchronously deployed solutions, thereby creating a huge change for fishermen. Recently, Bac Lieu has not had any ships violating illegal fishing in foreign waters. However, Bac Lieu is not subjective with the results achieved. Recently, the Provincial IUU Steering Committee continued to set several tasks and solutions in the coming time. 

Firstly, carry out information and communication campaigns, diversifying propaganda forms. Training and dissemination of Fisheries Law regulations and guiding documents on regulations against IUU fishing. 

Second, develop mechanisms and policies to support fishing vessel owners in purchasing and installing fishing vessel monitoring equipment (VMS) and satellite subscription fees to maintain the operation of VMS equipment. 

Third, make a list of fishing vessels at high risk of violating IUU fishing and fishing vessels that have been sold but have not yet completed transfer procedures and send them to competent agencies and local authorities for monitoring and management. 

Fourth, sustainably maintain inspection and control activities to ensure that 100% of fishing vessels perform well in 24/24 positioning, logging and production reporting. 

To increase the effectiveness and efficiency of combating illegal seafood exploitation, the Chairman of Bac Lieu Provincial People's Committee Pham Van Thieu added: Bac Lieu has proposed to the Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to direct the Navy forces, Coast Guard and Fisheries Surveillance increased patrol activities to ensure regular presence in sea areas, especially border areas.