Da Nang City Border Guard launches campaign to combat IUU fishing

On August 13, the Da Nang City Border Guard Command coordinated with departments, sectors and coastal localities to launch a peak campaign against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, aiming to remove the yellow card warning from the European Commission (EC) during the 5th inspection.

Colonel Hoang Van Man, Political Commissar of the Da Nang City Border Guard, said that during the peak period from now until September, propaganda work is considered a key task. The Border Guard will advise the Party Committee and the government to guide fishermen in using the function of declaring entry and exit through the "fishing vessel control" system and the VNeID application; promote diverse forms of communication, promote models of "united and safe boat groups", "self-managed ports" to raise awareness, encourage fishermen to stay at sea in accordance with the law, contributing to protecting the sovereignty of the sea and islands.

Along with that, the work of grasping the situation, investigating and verifying will be deployed synchronously. Units will review and establish management records of "high-risk" vessels violating foreign waters; monitor 100% of fishing vessels at sea via the VMS system; strictly handle acts of sending or transporting monitoring equipment to other vessels, intentionally disconnecting the VMS or connecting fishermen to illegally exploit.

Patrol and control forces will be deployed at river mouths, inlets, beaches and around islands to strictly control and resolutely not allow fishing vessels to leave port if they do not meet the requirements in terms of documents and safety equipment. 100% of fishing vessels entering and leaving fishing ports must be inspected and confirmed; all violations will be strictly handled and publicized on mass media as a deterrent.

The City Border Guard also strengthens coordination with the Police force, the Department of Sea and Islands and Fisheries, and Tho Quang and Tam Quang fishing ports to control fishing vessels, trace the origin of seafood, and ensure compliance with Vietnamese law and international commitments, especially the PSMA Agreement.

The Da Nang City Border Guard Command requires commanders of coastal and island units to be responsible to the Command for the results of combating IUU fishing; regularly inspect, urge, and promptly correct limitations; mobilize maximum forces and means in key areas such as Man Quang Bay, Da Nang Bay, An Hoa estuary, and Cua Lo.

The People's Committee of Da Nang City has issued Directive 04/CT-UBND, requiring departments, branches, coastal districts and towns to hold their leaders accountable for the results of combating IUU fishing. If violations occur that affect the efforts to remove the "yellow card", the heads of agencies and units will be responsible to the Chairman of the City People's Committee. Coastal communes and wards must require fishermen to sign a commitment not to violate, mark fishing vessels according to regulations, closely monitor the "3 no" group of vessels and report periodically on a weekly and monthly basis.

According to the Department of Sea, Islands and Fisheries of Da Nang City, by July 31, the City had completely handled all 1,926 "3 no" fishing vessels (no registration, no inspection, no fishing license), and put them under official management. Currently, the city has 4,142 fishing vessels 6m or longer, of which 96.7% have been granted fishing licenses; 100% of fishing vessels 15m or longer have installed VMS equipment and are closely monitored.

Minh Trang

Source: https://baochinhphu.vn/bien-phong-tp-da-nang-ra-quan-cao-diem-chong-khai-thac-iuu-102250813100414304.htm