Strict handling in an effort to prevent IUU exploitation

Communication from the entrance of the sea

As the fishermen of Kien Giang province prepared to embark on their inaugural sea voyage of the year, a significant number of their fishing vessels were directed to cease by the Fisheries Inspection vessel as they set sail from the mainland. The inspection forces of the Fisheries Association, captains, and crew members came as a complete surprise to all. They provided moral support, issued life jackets and buoys, and distributed letters from the Chairman of the People's Committee of Kien Giang Province, which urged crew members and captains to comply with European Commission-recommended regulations against illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing activities.

Prior to this, Mr. Le Quoc Anh, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Kien Giang Province, had issued directives to departments, sectors, and localities during a meeting of the Steering Committee against IUU fishing. He advised that they exploit the period when fishermen return to shore for the Lunar New Year holiday to heighten communication efforts and mobilize fishermen to abide by the law, thereby making a positive contribution to the effort against IUU fishing. It must be the purpose of the communication deed to remind fishermen to comply with the law and combat IUU fishing. Particularly if captured participating in illegal fishing operations in international waters, they would be subject to criminal prosecution in addition to administrative sanctions.

Owner Nguyen Van Du of Rach Gia City outfitted his two vessels with fuel, ice, and fishing equipment, as well as dozens of fishermen and boat commanders, in preparation for departure following the Tet holiday. According to Mr. Du, fishing has been a family tradition for many generations; therefore, he will make every effort to maintain and sustain the fleet's operations notwithstanding the challenges posed by rising sea voyage costs and depleting aquatic resources. Advocated and widely distributed by the agricultural industry, Mr. Du further cautioned fishermen and commanders to observe legal regulations with the greatest caution when embarking on voyages.

Local authorities, in conjunction with the agricultural sector, assisted fishing vessels embarking on their initial maritime journey of the year at Tac Cau Fishing Port (Chau Thanh District). The Chairman of the Fisheries Association of Rach Gia City, Mr. Truong Van Ngu, advocated for collaboration: "In order to remove the warning yellow card issued by the European Commission (EC) for Vietnamese seafood, shipowners and fishermen must work with all levels of government and the agricultural sector to ensure strict adherence to legal regulations on fisheries. Illicit fishing activities in foreign waters must be avoided. By doing so, they can unite with the entire nation in this endeavor."

Strict handling as a deterrent measure

According to Mr. Le Huu Toan, the Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in Kien Giang Province, Kien Giang has long been a leader in the nation's fishing industry due to its status as one of the provinces with the most substantial fishing grounds nationwide. The fishing industry has considerably contributed to the province's economic development and employed close to 70,000 individuals; thus, it has played a crucial role in the province's economic growth. With a total production value of 33,474 billion VND, the exploitation and aquaculture sector generated approximately 800,000 tons of aquatic products in 2023, including approximately 437,200 tons of fishery exploitation.

After more than five years of implementing measures to combat IUU fishing in accordance with EC recommendations, Kien Giang province, as well as the entire nation, has been making gradual efforts to overcome obstacles and improve the management of fishing activities in an increasingly stringent manner, with the goal of achieving sustainable development and gradually aligning with fishing practices in the region and the world, according to Mr. Toan. Nevertheless, the province's fishing vessels continue to engage in unlawful fishing operations in foreign waters, constituting over 50% of the total violations observed nationwide. This matter is of the utmost importance as it directly affects the removal of the yellow card warning and puts the recipient at risk of receiving a red card warning. This action has had a profound effect on the economy and the livelihoods of fishermen, but more significantly, it has damaged the nation's standing and dignity on the international stage.

Mr. Toan, a native of the coastal region, expressed his awareness of the challenges and difficulties faced by the fishing industry. Specifically, he highlighted the depletion of aquatic resources and the precarious number of fishing vessels, which place financial strains on families and add to the obligation of repaying bank loans. Nevertheless, this does not imply that localities deliberately break the law in order to progress and endure.

Mr. Toan issued a call to action to fishermen, with a particular emphasis on shipowners, business owners involved in fishing, seafood buyers, processors, boat captains, and crew members. He urged them to reinforce one another's reminders, actively heed the appeals of the Provincial Party Committee and the Provincial People's Committee concerning lawful fishing practices, abstain from causing damage to aquatic resources, and abstain from participating in illicit fishing operations in foreign waters that compromise the rights and reputation of the nation.

In order to promote effective marine governance and streamline fishing operations, the province of Kien Giang has taken the lead in establishing the Fisheries Inspection Department, which operates under the auspices of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. The establishment of this inaugural local fisheries inspection unit across the nation signifies the province's resolute commitment to eliminating the yellow card warning issued by the EC. The Fisheries Inspection Department of Kien Giang has successfully executed its designated duties and responsibilities for over two years.

These include enhancing patrols, conducting inspections, and managing fishing vessels that contravene regulations at sea, as well as those that enter and exit fishing ports, and verifying and addressing violations of voyage monitoring equipment by fishing vessels. Emphasis should be placed on scrutinizing fishing vessels that fall into the "3 no's" category: those lacking fishing permits, boat registration certificates, and inspections. Improving the oversight and management of fishing vessels involved in detrimental practices such as trawling, electrofishing, and the use of explosives and noxious substances