The city's efforts to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing have achieved significant progress thanks to decisive leadership from municipal authorities and coordinated implementation by departments, agencies, and localities. These efforts have led to a positive shift in raising awareness and fostering a sense of responsibility among the fishing community, vessel owners, and fishermen in complying with IUU regulations. This reflects the strong commitment and accountability of Da Nang’s government and residents in combating IUU fishing, joining hands with the nation to remove the European Commission’s (EC) “yellow card” warning.

Various decisive measures have been implemented to raise fishermen's awareness in combating IUU fishing. Photo: V.H.

Da Nang Weekend conducted an interview with Mr. Phan Van My, Deputy Director of the city's Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, to gain deeper insights into this issue and discuss the urgent and key measures to combat IUU fishing in the near future.

* Da Nang has been identified by the central government as one of the five major fishing hubs in the country. How does combating IUU fishing contribute to the sustainable development of the city's fisheries sector?

- It must be affirmed that combating IUU fishing is a critical and urgent task which has long-term significance for the sustainable development of the fisheries sector, not just for Da Nang but for Vietnam as a whole. According to the Government's Action Program implementing Conclusion No. 79-KL/TW of the Politburo on continuing Resolution No. 43-KL/TW of the 12^th Politburo regarding the construction and development of Da Nang City by 2030, with a vision to 2045, Da Nang will be developed into a major maritime economic hub of the country, an international coastal city, and a prominent coastal tourism city linked to the marine economy. To realize this vision, removing the EC's "yellow card" on fisheries is one of the top priorities.

It has been seven years since the European Commission (EC) officially issued a "yellow card" to Vietnam's fisheries sector due to the violations of IUU fishing principles, and we have yet to fully address and improve on the recommendations after four inspections. The Government, central ministries, and local authorities have implemented numerous decisive and comprehensive measures to tackle this challenge.

A notable highlight in the efforts to combat IUU fishing of Da Nang is the absence of serious violations within the city. There have been no cases of local fishing vessels being detained or penalized for illegal operations in foreign waters, no instances of VMS equipment being transported or transmitted unlawfully, and no involvement in facilitating or connecting illegal fishing activities in foreign waters. Additionally, Da Nang has taken decisive and prompt action to address fishing vessels that fail to meet operational requirements. The city has achieved a 100% compliance rate for the declaration and monitoring of fishing vessels entering and exiting ports through the eCDT VN system. This success is further supported by active coordination among units and localities in communication, monitoring, and supervising fishing activities.

However, I believe that achieving these positive changes hinges significantly on raising awareness and fostering a shift in the mindset of vessel owners and captains. Their decisions while operating at sea are the determining factor in whether IUU violations occur. Above all, each fisherman must understand and strictly adhere to regulations against IUU fishing, avoiding the temptation of short-term gains that lead to violations in foreign waters. Alongside this awareness, support and development policies of the city will serve as a catalyst to empower fishermen to fish, harvest, and produce more effectively, steering toward a responsible and sustainable fishing industry.

* In your opinion, has Da Nang's effort to combat IUU fishing been truly drastic?

- The city's government, along with relevant units, has made great efforts to implement a coordinated, drastic, and comprehensive tasks and solutions in the fight against IUU fishing. Recently, the City Party Committee, the People's Committee, and the City People's Council have focused on deploying and promptly issuing many guiding documents which are tailored to the local conditions. These include clearly assigning responsibilities and coordination among relevant agencies and forces.

In addition, efforts have been made to strengthen monitoring, inspections, supervision, and urging implementation; and to organize on-site checks, allocate resources, and provide favorable conditions for units to proactively carry out tasks within the regulations and deadlines. Any cases of IUU fishing violations are required to be dealt with drastically to serve as a deterrent. At the same time, strict action will be taken against organizations and individuals who, in pursuit of short-term benefits, overlook long-term interests, or prioritize personal gain over collective and national interests, which can affect the country’s efforts to remove the "yellow card" warning. The responsibility of heads of party committees, party organizations, and government officials at all levels in implementing the fight against IUU fishing is clearly emphasized.

Moreover, the city has also implemented a coordination mechanism between the People's Committees of 11 provinces and cities in the Central region in the management of fishing vessels operating at sea. I believe that thanks to efforts in combating IUU fishing, Da Nang's fisheries sector has seen a clear and positive transformation.

* Could you elaborate on the collaboration with other localities in managing fishing vessels and combating IUU fishing?

- As I mentioned earlier, the fight against IUU fishing to remove the EU's "yellow card" requires the collective effort, unity, and determination of both the Government and Vietnamese fishermen. If any unit or locality does not act drastically, even if other regions take strong measures, it will all be in vain when the EC team conducts inspections and discovered the problem. Before each inspection from the EC, both central and local authorities view it as a golden opportunity to remove the "yellow card” on fisheries, but each time, the goal has been missed due to ongoing limitations. So, when will the fisheries sector regain the "green card" for IUU? The answer depends on the determination, unity, and cooperation of all parties, the efforts of the responsible authorities, and the awareness of fishermen, captains, and those directly involving in seafood extraction at sea.

Da Nang, along with 10 other coastal provinces and cities, has implemented a coordination mechanism for sharing information on managing fishing vessel activities. This includes regularly compiling and sending lists of high-risk fishing vessels that may violate IUU regulations, and lists of vessels registered locally that have been sold or transferred to other provinces, information on fishing vessels operating outside the province that have lost connection with tracking devices, and the results of administrative violations handled against fishing vessels from other provinces. Additionally, the handling of cases involving local fishing vessels violating IUU regulations is part of the process. Once a directive is issued, all localities must be equally determined and resolute, not allowing the situation where fishing boats cannot enter one locality and will go to another locality to operate.

I believe that the central provinces need to continue to strengthen the monitoring of fishing vessels that do not meet operational requirements. It is crucial to promptly prevent any vessels that show signs of attempting to illegally fish and to strictly handle cases where vessels deliberately engage in fishing without the necessary documentation. There should be increased inspections and control fishing vessels entering and exiting fishing ports. It should be ensured that there is prevention of violations of document legalization for shipments exported to the European market. During the upcoming EC inspection, whether or not the "yellow card" on IUU is removes, vessel owners and fishermen must always raise their awareness to comply with fishing regulations. This is not only for the benefit of the nation or the locality but also, first and foremost, for their own benefit and the sustainable livelihoods of the fishing community.

Reporting by VAN HOANG – Translating by HONG VAN