Fishing vessels in the Mekong Delta Province of Bạc Liêu. — VNA/VNS Photo

BẠC LIÊU — The Mekong Delta province of Bạc Liêu has seen effective implementation of measures against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, as part of the efforts to remove the European Union (EU)’s “yellow card” on Vietnamese seafood.

Lưu Hoàng Ly, Director of the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, said that since mid-2021, there has been no local fishing vessels violating foreign waters.

Meanwhile, the installation of vessel monitoring systems (VMS) has contributed to managing fishing boats and prevent IUU fishing activities, he said.

Nguyễn Trọng Hán, Vice Chairman of the People’s Committee of Đông Hải District, home to one half of total fishing vessels in Bạc Liêu, said that local authorities have actively disseminated fishing regulations, helping to improve people’s awareness in the field.

Lê Việt Dũng, a local fisherman in Gành Hào Township, Đông Hải District, said that thanks to the information provided by local authorities in IUU fishing prevention and control regulations, he and his fellow fishermen have understood the benefits of the removal of the yellow card to them as well as the country’s seafood exports.

Regarding the benefits of the VMS installation, Trấn Văn Thành, a local of Vĩnh Thịnh Commune, Hoà Bình District, said that along with the function of supervising the vessels, the system is also helpful in reporting emergency circumstances.

According to Ly, Bạc Liêu will review the outcomes of the implementation of the EC’s four recommendations on IUU fishing prevention and combat, while effectively realising directions from the Government in the field.

The province will coordinate with other relevant forces to organise a working group to inspect IUU fishing activities and the issuance of registration and food safety certificates to fishing vessels.

The department will update local vessel data to the national fisheries database, while making a list of those with high risks of conducting IUU fishing so as to make settlement, he said, adding that communications on IUU fishing prevention and combat will continue to be strengthened.

The official underlined that Bạc Liêu is determined to completely end local fishing vessels’ violations to foreign waters, and make contributions to the country’s efforts to persuade the EC to remove the yellow card on national fisheries sector. — VNS