The new Government Decree 41, issued this year to replace the 2013 Decree 103, has hiked administrative fines for violations in the aquatic products sector.

Fishing ships on the Ha Long Bay in Quang Ninh Province

The new decree prescribes administrative fines of 1 million VND to 40 million VND (US$40 to $1,700) for those found exploiting, transporting and storing aquatic products exceeding the permissible levels. The old Decree 103 prescribed fines ranging from 300,000 VND to 12 million VND ($13 to 530).

Decree 41 has increased the fine for using electrical tools to exploit aquatic products to 50 million VND ($2,200) from 30 million VND ($1,300) in Decree 103.

It has raised the penalty for people growing wild aquatic animals and plants with legal origin but without registration to between 1 million VND ($44) and 7 million VND ($310), depending on the extent of violation.

Owners of fishing vessels illegally exploiting aquatic products in the waters of other countries and territories have to pay a fine ranging from 7 million VND to 100 million VND, as per the decree.

All these fines are for individual offenders; organisations will have to pay double the amount for individuals.

(Source: VNS)