Strict control of fishing vessels entering and leaving ports, monitoring fishery production, and tracking origins are the core tasks implemented by the authorities at Tho Quang Fishing Port. These efforts aim to improve management efficiency, contributing to combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing alongside various agencies, localities, and fishing communities within the city.

There have been numerous highlights in Da Nang's efforts against IUU fishing. In the photo: Fishing vessels anchored at Tho Quang Lock, preparing to set sail. Photo: VAN HOANG.

After stocking up on supplies and fuel for an extended fishing trip, Mr Pham Duc from Duc Pho Town, Quang Ngai Province, owner of the QNg 94456TS fishing vessel, approached the Port Operations Team under the Management Board of Tho Quang Fishing Port to complete his departure procedures. At the office, officials reviewed his documents and guided him on updating the necessary information.

According to Mr Duc, Da Nang  enforces a rigorous monitoring process for fishing vessels. Vessel information must be reported comprehensively and clearly, using a smartphone application.

Mr Dinh Anh Trai, Head of the Port Operations Team, stated that the monitoring procedures for fishing vessels entering, exiting, and offloading fishery products at the port strictly adhere to the Directorate of Fisheries’ guidelines. Currently, 100% of vessels are recorded in monitoring logs upon entry and exit, with timely notifications sent to the Fisheries Control Office under Department of Agriculture and Rural Development for coordination and handling of violations.

“Thanks to robust communication and stringent inspection efforts, fishermen in the city and neighbouring areas fully comply with port entry and exit procedures. Awareness among fishermen and vessel owners has notably improved,” Mr Trai remarked.

The Management Board of Tho Quang Lock and Fishing Port reported that all vessels docking at the port are monitored for offloading fishery products and required to submit fishing and purchase-transshipment logs in compliance with regulations. The board assigns personnel to verify and cross-check the contents of logs against data from the monitoring software, including journey details, fishing methods, catch composition, and fishing gear information, ensuring accuracy and reliability.

From October 2023 to 27 November 2024, there were 10,593 vessel entries recorded at the port, including 3,883 from Da Nang and 6,710 from other provinces, with a total offloading volume of 53,260 tonnes of fishery products. The board collected 10,596 fishing and purchase-transshipment logs during this period.

Mr Nguyen Lai, Head of the Management Board of Tho Quang Fishing Port, emphasised that monitoring fishing vessels, catch volumes, and fishing logs are critical, ongoing tasks aimed at combatting IUU fishing.

The board has implemented various practical measures to ensure strict compliance with regulations for vessels entering and exiting the port, including deploying personnel and equipment to meet declaration and monitoring requirements. Currently, 100% of vessels are mandated to submit declarations via the software system. Non-compliance leads to vessel denial for entry or departure.

To maintain efficient vessel monitoring, the Fisheries Control Office operates 24/7, receiving information about vessel entries and exits from the Port Operations Team. The office verifies this data using national fishing vessel monitoring systems, Vnfishbase databases, IUU vessel lists published by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, and high-risk vessel records, among others.

Between October 2023 and 27 November 2024, the Fisheries Control Office received information on 9,937 vessel entries provided by the Port Operations Team. The office issued 2,733 inspection reports for vessels entering the port and 1,347 for those departing.

Reported by VAN HOANG- Translated by TRUC VY