Hai Phong discovers over 100 fishing vessels with disconnected VMS in a month

During a heightened campaign against IUU fishing, related agencies within Hai Phong city have actively collaborated with various local governments to fulfill assigned tasks, and address existing challenges since the beginning of 2024

According to the Hai Phong city's Sub-Department of Fisheries, local law enforcement agencies have discovered 118 fishing vessels with disconnected VMS in the first four months of 2024. Among these violations, 101 fishing vessels lost connection for over six hours, and 17 fishing vessels lost connection for over ten days.

Following the reports of fishing vessels with disconnected VMS, law enforcement agencies have actively contacted and notified vessel owners to identify the cause of the disconnection, as well as to request the re-activation of the vessel monitoring system during operations at sea. Fishing vessels must be strictly prohibited from leaving the permitted boundaries at sea; and they must strictly adhere to regulations.

Law enforcement agencies have also promptly requested relevant local governments and agencies to monitor disconnected fishing vessels under their jurisdiction. Accordingly, relevant agencies and authorities must immediately notified if these vessels return to shore.

On the other hand, law enforcement agencies have maintained regular and effective coordination with the providers of vessel monitoring system to verify and handle violations according to regulations. Fishing vessels are strictly prohibited from leaving the port to engage in fishing activities is their vessel monitoring system is disconnected.

As a result of this committed approach, within a span of four months, law enforcement agencies within Hai Phong City have verified and fined four fishing vessels for a total of 100 million Vietnamese dong. The remaining 110 fishing vessels have promptly reconnected their vessel monitoring systems, and returned to shore for equipment repairs. Additionally, law enforcement agencies will maintain surveillance over six additional fishing vessels, and verify potential violations following their return to shore.

According to the Hai Phong city's Sub-Department of Fisheries, the city has not documented violations of vessels facilitating or engaging in illegal fishing activities in foreign waters since the beginning of 2024. Notably, no local fishing vessels have been detained or penalized by foreign authorities. Additionally, no fishing vessels were used for illlegal cross-border trading or immigrating activities.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, to date, Hai Phong city has processed 91 out of the total 94 fishing vessels with disconnected VMS that were reported in 2023. Among this group, 16 vessels have been fined with a total amount of 300 million Vietnamese dong; 4 vessels are under surveillance prior to processing; and 75 vessels are not subject to fines due to various reasons, including being grounded, sold to other provinces, dismantled, seized by banks, or involved in maritime sovereignty protection missions.

During a recent inspection of the anti-IUU fishing campaign at Ngoc Hai fishing port, Do Son district, Mr. Nguyen Duc Tho, Vice Chairman of the Hai Phong City People's Committee, noted several positive developments in the activities employed by the Sub-Department of Fisheries Department and related agencies.

With the aim of combating IUU fishing and addressing existing challenges, Mr. Nguyen Duc Tho requested local departments, sectors, and agencies to reaffirm anti-IUU fishing as a key political mission that requires immediate and effective actions.

Hai Phong city's Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has been instructed to regularly review, and update data on active fishing vessels to the Vnfishbase vessel management system. Moreover, active coordination with the Directorate of Fisheries and the Vietnam Fisheries Surveillance is essential to anti-IUU fishing efforts.

On the other hand, stakeholders must actively guide local fishermen and fishing vessel captains to accurately maintain fishing logbooks, report their activities in compliance with regulations, and strictly monitor "3 no" fishing vessels. Notably, fishing vessels are prohibited from leaving the port to engage in fishing activities without fulfilling the necessary requirements.

Hai Phong city is currently managing 955 fishing vessels ranging from 6 meters to over 24 meters in length. Among this group, 837 fishing vessels are qualified, operational, and registered within the national Vnfishbase database. Furthermore, all active vessels have been issued fishing licenses, and registration numbers and markings.