Hai Phong: no fishing vessels violating foreign waters detected in 2022

On March 10, in an interview with Vietnam Agriculture Newspaper, the head of Hai Phong Department of  Fisheries said that over the past, the functional agencies have increased coordination in information exchange and handling according to regulations, effectively manage Hai Phong 's fishing vessels operating in the coastal provinces and cities areas.

In addition, the Department promoted propaganda, dissemination and training on the 2017 Fisheries Law, guiding documents on the implementation of the Law, regulations on combating IUU fishing, directives from the Government and the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, directives of Hai Phong city People's Committee of ... in various forms.

Regarding the control of fishing vessels violating foreign waters, through assessing the local situation and gathering documents from relevant agencies, units and localities, in 2022, no cases of organizations, individuals, brokers sending fishing boats and fishermen to illegally exploit seafood in foreign waters that are being prevented, chased, arrested and handled by foreign countries were detected

However, in 2021, fishing boats in Hai Phong city still has violations in fishing at sea, the main violations being: fishing in the wrong route, losing connection to cruise monitoring equipment when operating at sea, overdue fishing license, no fishing license, no tracking device,...

Through the monitoring system of fishing vessels operating at sea, information from authorities, Hai Phong Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has coordinated with the Border Guard Command and local authorities to investigate and verify 40 rounds of Hai Phong's fishing boats crossing to the east of the Tonkin Gulf demarcation line, not to exploit fishery products, but due to objective reasons such as engine failure, ships drifting while anchoring, propeller nets drifting.

Notably, the case of fishing boat registration number HP 90882 TS, Mr. Dinh Van Thiep as owner and captain, with address at Lap Le commune, Thuy Nguyen district, was arrested by the Foreign Coast Guard for trial and sentenced to 9 months in prison for the captain, 7 months for the crew.

According to the Hai Phong Department of Fisheries, there are currently 118 fishing vessels with a length from 6m to under 12m that have not been registered and updated on the national fishery database system VNFishbase due to prohibited fishing activities,...

The total number of fishing vessels with a length of 15m or more that must be issued a certificate of eligibility for food safety according to regulations is 357 ships, so far 343/357 ships have been issued, reaching 96.08%.

Regarding the deployment and installation of cruise monitoring equipment, the total number of fishing vessels with a length of 15m or more engaged in fishing activities and required to install cruise monitoring equipment according to regulations is 357 ships, with 356/357 vessels installed so far.

In 2022, continue to strengthen the work of information, propaganda, dissemination and guidance of the 2017 Fisheries Law and other relevant regulations.

Functional units will focus on combating illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, ensuring that people update, fully and timely access documents and information about regulations against IUU fishing and information related to preventing and handling fishing vessels violating in foreign waters.

In addition, coordinate and strictly control fishing vessels at the port, prohibiting them from participating in fishing activities at sea if they do not comply with regulations, especially in inspection, urging and reminding them to ensure that the vessel tracking device (VMS) is in working condition before leaving the port to operate at sea.

On the other hand, relevant units will focus on implementing more drastic investigation, verification, handling and sanctioning of cases and violations according to regulations, ensuring the strictness of the law.

Actively and closely coordinate with coastal provinces and cities to strengthen management and guide Hai Phong's fishing vessels to comply with the law and strictly implement the registration of fishing vessels, transfer of fishing vessels in accordance with current regulations.

Additionally, review and firmly grasp the status of registration, installation and use of equipment to monitor journey and fishing activities of fishing vessels and fishermen in Hai Phong City, especially fishing vessels operating long-term at sea.