Ninh Binh boosts efforts in fighting against IUU fishing
The provincial People's Committee requested the Department of Agriculture and Environment to advise on developing a specific, focused, key action plan that is suitable for the actual situation in accordance with the direction of the central authorities.
The department was asked to coordinate with relevant agencies and competent forces to organise patrols and control the activities of trawlers and squid fishing vessels at river mouths, inlets, and beaches.
The provincial People’s Committee urged the department to make a daily list of fishing vessels that have lost connection to the vessel monitoring system (VMS); remind fishing vessels that have crossed the fishing boundary; make a weekly list of fishing vessels that are not qualified to operate, and send it to the provincial Border Guard Command, the provincial Department of Public Security and commune-level authorities for direction and implementation of management measures.
It requested the provincial Border Guard Command to direct each soldier in charge of one or a group of vessels/fishermen at high risk of violating foreign waters to propagate and disseminate regulations on fisheries law and combat IUU fishing; monitor and prevent right on shore and at sea, promptly handle violations according to the provisions of law.
The provincial Department of Public Security was assigned to coordinate with the provincial Border Guard Command, the Department of Agriculture and Environment, and the People's Committees of communes to implement measures to manage fishing vessels that are not qualified to operate; consider applying measures to manage centralised anchoring, seal, and lock fishing vessels that are not qualified to operate to ensure that fishing vessels cannot participate in activities.
The Department of Science and Technology was tasked with continuing to direct enterprises and units providing mobile satellite services used for the vessel monitoring system (VMS) to ensure stable service provision according to regulations.
Close coordination has been maintained with coastal authorities to disseminate the new regulations widely and continuously through on-site briefings at fishing ports and anchorages, leaflets, posters, grassroots broadcasting systems, community meetings, conferences and training courses.
In addition, monitoring and inspection have been tightened. The fishing vessel monitoring centre has operated around the clock to promptly detect vessels losing connection or showing abnormal movements, while checks on licences, logbooks, catch reports and port entry and exit procedures have been enhanced.
Authorities have also supported fishermen in restoring VMS signals and completing required documentation to reduce repeat violations.
