Da Nang, and the provinces of Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Quang Binh, Quang Tri, Thua Thien Hue, Quang Nam, Quang Ngai, Binh Dinh and Khanh Hoa have gained a number of certain achievements in combating combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing in recent times.

Vice Chairman of the Da Nang People's Committee Tran Chi Cuong delivering his opening speech at the meeting. Photo: VAN HOANG

Da Nang People’s Committee Vice Chairman Tran Chi Cuong made the remarks in a statement at the Thursday meeting to review the implementation of coordination regulations between 11 provinces and cities in the management of fishing vessels involving the exploitation of aquatic resources.

He added that the management of fishing vessels has changed significantly. 11,990 out of the 12,209 fishing boats have already installed vessel monitoring system (VMS) devices, representing 98%. The work of tracing the origin of aquatic products has been controlled in chains. Information on administrative sanctions in the fishery sector has been fully updated into the national database, aimed at creating comprehensive data for law enforcement.

Vice Chairman Cuong also informed that Da Nang is identified as one of the country’s five major fishing centres. In recent years, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the municipal government have concentrated on completing the synchronous infrastructure at the Tho Quang Fishing Port and Wharf to organise fishing logistics services well, making the city become a regional fishing service centre. The Tho Quang Fishing Port receives over 15,000 ships/year, of which 75-80% are fishing vessels from other provinces with the seafood output unloaded through the port reaching nearly 45,000 tonnes/year.

Deputy General Director of the Fisheries Resources Surveillance Department Nguyen Phu Quoc speaking at the event. Photo: VAN HOANG

Speaking at the event, Deputy General Director of the Fisheries Resources Surveillance Department Nguyen Phu Quoc emphasised the need of the joint efforts and coordination of ministries, branches, units, localities and fishermen nationwide in combating IUU fishing and removing the European Commission’s “yellow card”.

He also stressed the necessity for localities to propose a coordination regulation with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development on handling violating ships between the inshore and offshore areas; assessing the entire rate of VMS disconnection of suppliers to have a basis for verification and handling; and urgently reviewing and rechecking the registration and inspection licenses of fishing vessels according to regulations.

According to the report at the meeting, there are a total of 35,244 fishing vessels operating in the 11 aforementioned provinces/cities, of which, Binh Dinh has 6,080 ships; Quang Ngai 5,287; Ha Tinh 4,190; and Da Nang 1,387. 10,683 fishing vessels are not qualified for fishing activities because they have yet to be registered and licenced or have expired fishing licences.

From October 2023 to July 2024, 56,314 fishing vessels arrived at ports with an unloading output of 190,830 tonnes. 639 fishing vessels violated IUU fishing.

In Da Nang, 1,073 out of the 1,387 fishing vessels have been registered and updated in the National Fisheries Database. 579 out of the 589 fishing vessels with the largest length of 15m or more have (VMS) device installed. 437 fishing vessels are not qualified for fishing activities.

Since the beginning of 2024, 6,041 fishing boats have docked at the Tho Quang Fishing Port with total seafood output of 23,931 tonnes.

Reporting by VAN HOANG - Translating by M.DUNG