Recently, the Da Nang’s Border Guard has been at the forefront of promoting awareness against illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. Through the implementation of various proactive measures, Da Nang has emerged as one of the few localities without any violations of regulations regarding fishing vessels.

Border Guard officers inspecting the operational status of monitoring equipment on fishermen's vessels. Photo: KIM NGAN

At the Tho Quang Fishing Port, the fishing vessel DN-90683, owned by Truong Cong Tiep, a fisherman from Son Tra District, was preparing to set sail. He presented all the necessary documentation as required by law. Following this, the Border Guard team from Man Quang conducted inspections on the vessel, checking safety equipment such as life jackets and firefighting gear to ensure a safe departure.

Tiep stated that they always keep abreast of the regulations regarding maritime border areas and relevant legal documents to comply fully during the fishing process, asserting that adherence to the law is paramount.

According to the Man Quang Border Control Station, approximately 60 to 70 vessels enter and exit the port daily. Recently, the Da Nang Border Guard has adopted innovative methods that allow fishermen to set out to sea while still ensuring thorough checks and controls on the vessels. For instance, to save time when checking documentation prior to departure, the Man Quang Border Control Station has prepared pre-filled forms indicating which documents are valid and which have expired. This initiative has helped streamline the process for both fishermen and the Border Guard.

Fisherman Tran Van Ly, owner of vessel DN-90667, expressed that the use of pre-filled forms to indicate the status of required documents helps fishermen avoid forgetting to report them and saves time for the Border Guard during inspections, thereby maintaining workflow efficiency. He remarked that the local authorities, particularly the Border Guard, have always supported fishermen on each trip, providing timely assistance that instills confidence in them to fish in compliance with regulations.

Captain Vo Xuan Chi, Head of the Man Quang Border Control Station, noted that the unit has collaborated with various agencies to ensure strict checks on fishing vessels entering and exiting the port. All offshore fishing boats undergo thorough inspections of their tracking equipment and must complete all necessary procedures at the port, with informational leaflets on combating IUU fishing readily available on board.

According to Lieutenant Colonel Dang Van Dao, Head of the Son Tra Border Guard Station, the unit has consistently raised awareness among fishermen about the importance of avoiding illegal fishing practices. He explained that they have identified numerous innovative solutions for disseminating this information, including focused campaigns, distributing leaflets, and addressing cases of delayed inspections or fishing permit renewals.

Colonel Do Van Dong, the political commissar of Da Nang's Border Guard, stated that protecting maritime sovereignty is a critical mission for the entire Party, people, and military. He emphasised the importance of promoting economic development in maritime areas alongside enhancing national defence and security at sea. Moreover, he highlighted the need to build a robust national defence network integrated with effective community security measures at sea.

Fishermen serve as the “markers” of sovereignty on the ocean. Therefore, the Border Guard intensifies its outreach efforts to educate fishermen about regulations against IUU fishing, helping them enhance their understanding and comply with laws governing fisheries. This support allows fishermen to confidently venture out to sea, contributing to economic development while also safeguarding the nation's maritime sovereignty.

Reporting by KIM NGAN - Translating by TRUC VY