A border guard soldier checks a fishing boat in Cà Mau Province. VNA/VNS Photo Hồng Đạt

CÀ MAU — The Mekong Delta Province of Cà Mau reported no fishing boats violating foreign waters in the first five months of 2023.

This is attributed to the local authorities' application of various measures against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, in a joint effort to remove the European Commission (EC)'s 'yellow card' warning against Vietnamese seafood exports.

However, there still remains a risk of illegal fishing activities in foreign waters as many local boats have been been removing and concealing their vessel monitoring systems (VMS).

Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Huỳnh Quốc Việt has ordered departments, sectors and localities to effectively perform the fight against IUU fishing, focusing on promoting information and communication campaigns to popularise relevant legal regulations and strictly handle illegal fishing cases in foreign waters.

Colonel Phùng Đức Hưng, Commander of the provincial Border Guard Command, said the force continues to maintain and enhance the effectiveness of the communication system, update fishing vessel data in the National Fisheries Database (VNFishbase), and monitor fishing vessels entering and exiting sea border stations.

They have collaborated with other law enforcement forces at sea and local authorities to strictly monitor and control offshore fishing vessels, and strengthen patrol activities, he said.

Cà Mau has more than 4,100 fishing boats, including 1,500 with a length of 15 metres and above. Over the last 180-day peak period, units of the provincial Border Guard inspected more than 40,000 fishing boats entering and leaving seaports in the locality.

Nearly 4,000 local fishermen were provided with legal knowledge, and some 2,000 ship owners and captains urged to sign commitments to strictly adhere to the regulations regarding the fight against IUU fishing.

Meanwhile, the central province of Quảng Trị is also concentrating on enhancing control of vessels that enter/leave fishing ports, as part of the efforts to wipe out illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

The province has nearly 2,300 fishing boats, including 460 with a length of six metres and above. As of June 13,441 vessels have been licenced for fishing.

As many as 442 ships have been marked following legal regulations, while 184 vessels were connected to the vessel monitoring system (VMS).

All the fishing vessels with a length of 15 metres or more are required to dock at the Cửa Việt and Cửa Tùng – which are the designated fishing ports in Quảng Trị, for implementing procedures related to the fight against IUU fishing. A total of 594 vessels traversing via the ports have been strictly examined.

In addition, 100 per cent of the fishing vessels entering and exiting creeks at sea border stations have been also inspected.

The locality has also implemented an information and communication campaign to ensure transparency in IUU fishing combat efforts. It has provided diverse forms of popularisation and training for fishermen and related organisations on anti-IUU regulations.  

According to the provincial steering committee for IUU fishing prevention, authorised units will strengthen supervision via the VMS to prevent fishing vessels from engaging in violations in offshore areas, especially in foreign waters. — VNS