Da Nang's fisheries sector, along with local authorities, has implemented various measures to facilitate legal documentation for fishermen engaged in fishing activities, striving to eliminate the presence of fishing vessels with 3 Nos (those lacking registration, inspection, or licensing) in the area. This initiative aims to remove the European Commission’s (EC) “yellow card” on Vietnamese seafood exports.

The Fisheries Sub-Department has organized patrol teams to monitor, inspect, and address IUU-related violations in the fisheries sector. Photo: VAN HOANG

Active management and control of fishing vessels

Eliminating "3-no" fishing vessels is a key task in combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, a crucial step towards removing the EC’s “yellow card.” In Son Tra District, numerous “3-no” fishing vessels have recently received licenses, easing the fishing and management processes. Fisherman Nguyen Van Lich, from Nai Hien Dong Ward, Son Tra District, shared that his fishing vessel, originally purchased from Quang Nam Province, previously faced numerous regulatory hurdles for registration.

Currently, with support from local authorities and the Fisheries Sub-Department under the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, his vessel has now been re-registered in Da Nang. “Living here but having my vessel registered in another province created some operational issues. With city support, I feel more secure, and my fishing activities in Da Nang are now fully compliant,” Lich explained.

According to the Economic Office of Son Tra District, since the campaign began in July, efforts have focused on raising awareness by distributing informational materials on IUU to local fishermen. Despite challenges in registering new “3-no” vessels, the district has made significant progress. During the first phase, 166 “3-no” vessels were identified; 107 were registered, while 59 were deemed ineligible. In the second phase, 259 vessels were reviewed, with 258 successfully registered, and one sold outside the locality.

Across the city’s districts, Vo Kim Tu, Head of the Economic Office of Thanh Khe District, emphasized that the district has actively controlled and managed fishing vessel activities according to its assigned responsibilities. The district has completed the registration, licensing, and crew listing for 33 vessels between 6m and 12m in length. In the second phase, the district issued legal documentation for two additional “3-no” vessels. The list of registered vessels has been submitted to the city’s Fisheries Sub-Department to update the national fisheries database, VNFishbase. Thanh Khe District has now entirely eradicated “3-no” fishing vessels.

According to the Fisheries Sub-Department, as of October 28, the city had 1,562 registered fishing vessels longer than 6m. Currently, 153 vessels are deemed ineligible for fishing activities (124 between 12m and 15m, and 29 over 15m), including 44 “3-no” vessels and 109 registered vessels overdue for inspection or lacking a fishing permit. The Fisheries Sub-Department has updated data on 1,443 registered vessels in the national fisheries database, with all eligible fishing vessels marked with numbers as required.

Preventing future “3-no” vessels

Mr. Vo Kim Tu added that the district would continue to rigorously enforce IUU regulations and promote sustainable fisheries development. This includes providing legal guidance to fishermen and vessel owners to prevent IUU violations inshore. Thanh Khe District will coordinate with Phu Loc Border Station to enhance inspections and patrols of fishing vessels, closely monitoring those ineligible for fishing, and strictly penalizing any “3-no” vessels attempting fishing without proper documentation.

Mr. Huynh Van Hung, Vice Chairman of Son Tra District’s People’s Committee, reiterated the commitment to preventing any future “3-no” vessels from impacting the city’s IUU combat efforts. The district has instructed relevant departments and local organizations to intensify awareness campaigns, educating fishermen and related entities on combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing while promoting sustainable fisheries. Son Tra District officials are responsible for supervising vessel activities closely, especially in high-traffic areas such as Nai Hien Dong and Tho Quang wards, coordinating with enforcement agencies to penalize violators.

To thoroughly resolve ineligible fishing vessels, the city’s Fisheries Sub-Department has been working closely with vessel owners, advocating for compliance with the Fisheries Law, and assisting them in completing the required documentation. Vessel owners must sign commitments to obtain the necessary paperwork and refrain from fishing without the proper permits or equipment. For those who fail to comply, the Fisheries Sub-Department will compile a list and report them to the city’s authorities for further action.

The Fisheries Sub-Department is also expediting documentation processing for those seeking registration, working alongside inspection agencies to promptly complete the registration for vessels with valid applications.

Reporting by VAN HOANG - Translating by TRUC VY