Fishermen voluntarily committed to sustainable seafood harvesting practices

Tam Quan Nam Ward, Hoai Nhon Commune is where three street blocks directly abut the sea. Two groups of fishermen, Cuu Loi and Long Thanh were formed. The Tam Quan Nam District accommodates 224 fishing vessels, with 43 unit groups encompassing 173 of these vessels. A significant 73% engage in offshore fishing, with encircling purse seine fishing and ocean tuna fishing.

Back in 2018, the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Tam Quan Nam Ward introduced a modern model that Cuu Loi fishermen pledge to refrain from encroaching upon foreign waters. This pioneering activity saw the participation of 126 offshore fishing boat owners. The effect of this model has been profound, nurturing a collective commitment within the fishing community to combat illegal fishing practices.

Fishing activities of fishermen in the Cuu Loi have seen many positive changes, vessel owners strictly comply with the provisions of the law, comply with the regulations as recommended by the European Commission (EC) on combating illegal fishing. Over the past 5 years, no vessels have participated in the fishing model that violates foreign waters. After summarizing the experience in the process of implementing the model in ten thousand Cuu Loi, Tam Quan Nam ward replicated the model in Long Thanh.

More recently, the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee, in collaboration with the People's Committee of Tam Quan Nam Ward, embarked on a new phase by introducing the Long Thanh model. This model saw 98 boat owners from two neighborhoods, namely Tang Long 1 and Tang Long 2, voluntarily pledge to refrain from fishing in foreign waters.

At the model launch, ship owners and captains of offshore fishing were informed about the 2017 Law on Fisheries and guiding documents on the implementation of the Law and related regulations against IUU fishing. Moreover, they were enlightened about key aspects of Vietnam's seas and islands, underpinning the imperative of safeguarding the nation's sovereignty in these waters. Legal frameworks related to the maritime domain of Vietnam and neighboring nations were also meticulously presented.

"Working in tandem with Cuu Loi, we are committed to organizing regular monthly and quarterly events, especially during holidays, New Year celebrations, and ceremonial occasions, to disseminate the Party's directives and the State's legal provisions attaching to fishing. These initiatives aim to progressively deter, diminish, and ultimately eradicate fishing activities that infringe upon foreign waters," stressed Mr. Tran Quoc Ngu of the Van Truong Van Long Thanh organization.

According to Mr. Nguyen Van Tuong, Secretary of the Party Committee of Tam Quan Nam Ward, in fact, the operation of the model over the past 5 years has been a bridge to help maintain and develop solidarity groups fishing at sea. In particular, fishermen are aware of the sustainable benefits of complying with the law, so they voluntarily obey and encourage each other to perform well in catching seafood without violating foreign waters.

Tam Quan Bac Ward is considered the locale with the most substantial fleet of offshore fishing vessels in Hoai Nhon town, boasting over 1,000 boats. This locale actively fosters awareness about the protection of sea and island sovereignty in 2023. A collaborative communication session, echoed by the People's Committee of Tam Quan Bac Ward, the Provincial Farmers' Association, and the Border Guard Command of Binh Dinh Province, offered insights to more than 100 officers of Farmers' Associations at various levels. The session also connects ship owners, captains, crew members, and families linked to offshore fishing activities.

More than 100 officers of Farmers' Associations at all levels; ship owners, captains, crew members and families with relatives who go to sea for offshore fishing have been communicated by the Border Guard force on the Law of the Sea of Vietnam; Law on Fisheries; Government's Decree No. 42/2019/ND-CP dated May 16, 2019, on penalties for administrative violations in the fisheries sector; Directive 45 on a number of tasks and solutions to remove the warning of the European Commission against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUU); Resolution 36 on "Strategy for sustainable development of Vietnam's marine economy to 2030, with a vision to 2045", adopted at the 8th Plenum of the 12th Party Central Committee, outlines the importance of developing the sea and island economy and making Vietnam a strong, rich maritime country and other guiding documents of central and provincial governments related to Vietnam's sea and island issues, etc.

Officers, members, fishermen, and boat owners participating in the communication session improved their knowledge and awareness of law enforcement to stop violating IUU regulations during fishing. At the press conference, boat owners and fishermen signed a commitment to abide by the provisions of the law when participating in fishing at sea.