Units and localities across Da Nang are making efforts to strengthen monitoring and supervision of fishing vessels at high risk of violating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing regulations.

100% of fishing vessels entering and leaving the Tho Quang Fishing Port are monitored and supervised according to regulations. Photo: XUAN SON

As of late November 2024, 126 out of the 1,545 fishing vessels with the largest length of 6m or more in the city had not qualified for fishing activities. Of these, there were 36 "3 No's" fishing vessels (unregistered, unlicensed, and uninspected). Units and localities are urgently speeding up the procedures for issuing relevant documents for the abovementioned vessels, and at the same time, strengthening monitoring and supervision of fishing vessels at high risk of violating IUU fishing regulations.

According to the municipal Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, information about the ship owner, the current status of operation and anchorage location of ships is updated weekly. Also, a list of fishing vessels that are not qualified for fishing activities is sent to localities and local Border Guard for monitoring and supervision. The list of fishing vessels at high risk of violating IUU fishing is also posted on the database on the fishing vessel monitoring system.

Authorities in districts direct wards with fishing activities to assign specific cadres and grassroots party members to be in charge of monitoring and supervising each group of local fishing vessels.

Mr. Huynh Van Hung, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Son Tra District, said "We assign the People's Committees of wards to regularly organize propaganda work for fishermen. Production teams are responsible for reminding owners of fishing vessels to comply with legal regulations when fishing. If the owner of the vessel is found to be unqualified for fishing, relevant units promptly report to the authorities at all levels and the border guards for strict handling”.

The municipal Border Guard force has increased close monitoring of fishing vessels that are unqualified for fishing activities and strictly handled cases of fishing vessels violating the law. In particular, the focus will be on organising a peak period of law enforcement, patrolling, checking and controlling at the beaches and Da Nang Bay to ensure deterrence and raise awareness of fishermen in complying with the law on fisheries.

According to statistics from the Bureau of Fisheries, from October 2023 - November 2024, the unit coordinated with the Son Tra Border Guard Station to organise 17 inspections and patrols at sea and at the Tho Quang Fishing Port, finding 479 fishing vessels violating  IUU fishing regulations.

Officers and soldiers of the Son Tra Border Guard Station raising awareness about abiding by IUU regulations among fishermen

Mr. Nguyen Lai, Head of the Management Board of the Tho Quang Fishing Port and Wharf, said that the unit issued a procedure for controlling fishing vessels entering and leaving the port and monitoring the output of aquatic products unloaded at the Tho Quang Fishing Port. Specifically, efforts were made to strictly implement the shift assignment; arrange people to directly receive, monitor, and update information on fishing vessels entering and leaving the port; and monitor 100% of the output of fishing vessels entering and leaving the port to unload aquatic products.

Heed was on ensuring that 100% of fishing vessels entering and leaving the port are updated in the monitoring book according to regulations and promptly notifying the Fisheries Control Representative Office for monitoring and coordinating handling. In case a fishing vessel shows signs of IUU violations, the office will notify and invite the vessel owner to work, and only sign the certification in the book after the handling is completed.

In case the vessel shows signs of violation under the authority of the unit, the Management Board of Tho Quang Fishing Port and Wharf will send a transfer notice to the fisheries inspectorate and the Border Guard for coordination in handling.

Regarding the implementation of the eCDT electronic traceability system, the management board will only certify and resolve sea travel for fishing vessels with eCDT electronic declarations and currently 100% of fishing vessels have completed this procedure.

According to the municipal Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, in the coming time, the city will continue to focus on strict management, not allowing the emergence of "3 No's" fishing vessels; and regularly monitor and update the current status of operations of fishing vessels that are not qualified to operate in fisheries.

Reporting by XUAN SON - Translating by M.DUNG