Ca Mau offers free fishing vessel monitoring service subscriptions

Accordingly, the subjects eligible for this policy include organizations and individuals operating fishing vessels and logistics fishing vessels that are 15 meters or longer, have a vessel monitor system installed, and are certified for fishing in accordance with regulations. 

There are around 230 vessels eligible under the scheme in the U Minh district, including 160 vessels in the Khanh Hoi commune. Consequently, it alleviates the pressures currently placed on fishermen by the escalating prices of oil and petroleum. 

Mr. Chau Minh Dam, Chairman of the People's Committee of Khanh Hoi commune (U Minh district), stated that the newly issued Resolution by Ca Mau province in March 2021 has encouraged fishermen to reduce illegal fishing on foreign seas and address fishermen's unwillingness regarding the high subscription fee for fishing vessel monitoring service. 

Both of Mr. Bui Tan Thanh's fishing vessels and fishery logistics in Khanh Hoi commune, U Minh district, are equipped with cruise monitoring equipment. Since the beginning of 2022, Mr. Thanh is exempted from paying the VND 700,000 monthly subscription fee for the fishing vessel monitor service, which he had previously paid for these two vehicles. 

Mr. Nguyen Hoang Chien, who lives and owns two fishing vessels in the Khanh Hoi commune, stated that the exemption is a regional decision that meets the fishermen's expectations, despite the fact that the monthly fee is not high but the total cost of 5 years is a problem for fishermen. 

Exemption of subscription fee for fishing vessel monitor service has not only alleviated difficulties for fishermen, but also assisted competent agencies in enhancing management capacity, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of the mission to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing 

Since the beginning of the year, the province has only recorded two cases of Ca Mau fishing vessels illegally fishing in foreign waters. 

When the policy had not yet been implemented, it was seen that fishing vessels in Ca Mau province were losing touch at sea, due in part to technical equipment failures but also to a set of equipment. Some fishermen willfully log out of the vessel monitor system to operate in international waters. However, the situation has improved since the establishment of a policy providing free monitoring equipment for fishing vessels. 

Mr. Chau Cong Bang, Deputy Director of Ca Mau Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, stated that based on the positive results that the policies have generated, it is anticipated that fishermen in Ca Mau will perform well in exploiting and utilizing fishing vessel monitoring equipment in the near future, allowing local authorities to proactively patrol and control fishing activities at sea, thereby contributing to the efforts of removing the EC's yellow card in fishing activities.