Da Nang’s functional agencies are closely coordinating to resolutely handle illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing in the city's sea areas. This contributes to limiting negative impacts on aquatic resources, the marine environment and the reputation of the country's fisheries industry.

The city's authorities increase inspection of fishing vessels to combat illegal fishing. Photo: NGUYEN QUANG

Recently, fishing vessel BD-92413-TS, owned by Mr. H.N. from My Duc Commune, Phu My District, Binh Dinh Province, has been fined VND 25 million by the Inspectorate of the Da Nang Department of Agriculture and Rural Development for not complying with regulations in cases where the voyage monitoring device was damaged or could not transmit information and data of the fishing vessel to the fishing vessel monitoring data centre while in operation.

The similar administrative fine has been imposed on Mr. L.V.V. from Pho Thanh Commune, Duc Pho District, Quang Ngai Province who is the owner of fishing vessel QNg92497-TS for violating the regulations on using fishing vessels with a length of 15m to less than 24m to exploit aquatic products in offshore areas.

A fine of VND 3.5 million has been levied on fishing vessel TH90388-TS, owned by Mr. P.V.H. from Hoang Hoa District, Thanh Hoa Province, for violating the regulation that fishing vessels with a length of 15m or more are prohibited from docking at a fishing port on the list of designated fishing ports for offshore fishing vessels to dock to unload aquatic products.

Mr. H. said that after being informed and reminded by the authorities, he understood and pledged not to repeat the offense and to fully comply with the regulations on aquatic product exploitation.

“I will popularise IUU regulations to crew members so that everyone can raise awareness of protecting aquatic resources and not harm the future of fishing,” said Mr. H.

According to Mr. Nguyen Thanh Bach from the Bureau of Fisheries (under the municipal Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, since the beginning of 2024, 30 cases of violations were fined more than VND 710 million in total.

Most of the violations include not complying with regulations in cases where the journey monitoring device is broken or cannot transmit information and data from the fishing vessel to the fishing vessel monitoring data center while in operation for fishing vessels with a maximum length of 15m to less than 24m; using fishing vessels with a maximum length of 15m to less than 24m to exploit aquatic resources in offshore areas; and not notifying the authority of fishing port before entering the fishing port as prescribed.

“In the coming time, the Bureau will strengthen coordination with the city’s Border Guard, People's Committees of coastal districts, and the Waterway Police Team to increase patrols, inspections, and control of exploitation and protection of aquatic resources, IUU fishing; and the use of electric pulses for illegal fishing in coastal waters, offshore waters, and inland waters within the city,” Mr. Bach affirmed.

Reporting by NGUYEN QUANG - Translating by M.DUNG, P.TRA