In order to contribute to the national effort to remove the "yellow card" of the European Commission (EC) for the fisheries sector, from April 10 to 15, Coast Guard Region 1 coordinated with Quang Ninh, Thai Binh and Nam Dinh provinces to organize a survey trip to grasp the actual situation in some coastal sea and island areas in the Northeast region. This is the first time the Coast Guard force has organized a large-scale working trip with the direct participation of leaders of coastal localities. Reporters from the Provincial Media Center interviewed Major General Tran Van Hau, Political Commissar of Coast Guard Region 1, Head of the survey team, about the purpose, significance, outstanding results and solutions in the coming time to accompany fishermen in protecting the sovereignty of the sea and islands and developing a sustainable marine economy.

- Major General, please tell us the reason and significance of the recent survey organized by Coast Guard Region 1?

+ This survey trip is part of a series of practical activities of the Vietnam Coast Guard to carry out the assigned key tasks: Acting as the core in enforcing the law at sea; propagating and mobilizing fishermen to strictly comply with the provisions of the law, especially against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUU). From the practical implementation of the program "Coast Guard accompanies fishermen", at the annual working sessions and signing of cooperation agreements with coastal provinces, local leaders have repeatedly proposed that Coast Guard Region 1 organize field survey teams in coastal seas and islands. The goal is for leaders to clearly understand the situation on the ground, thereby having appropriate leadership and direction policies in protecting sovereignty, security of seas and islands and developing the marine economy associated with sustainable fisheries exploitation. This trip is the first time we have coordinated to organize a survey of the Northeast sea and island routes, with the participation of leaders of Quang Ninh, Thai Binh, Nam Dinh provinces and armed forces units stationed in the area. This is a very meaningful activity in the context of the entire political system making efforts to get the EC to remove the "yellow card" for Vietnamese seafood. Through the survey of the Northeast sea and islands, we aim to find solutions to remove the "yellow card" for the seafood industry through practical actions. - During this journey, what outstanding results did the delegation achieve, sir? Major General ? + It can be said that the survey trip was a great success, ensuring absolute safety for people and vehicles, despite the harsh weather at sea at times. The delegation traveled over 300 nautical miles, visited many coastal islands such as Co To, Bach Long Vi, and directly surveyed the seafood exploitation activities of fishermen in the Gulf of Tonkin.

The most encouraging thing is that through the survey, we recorded that the majority of fishermen have complied well with regulations on fishing, with no signs of violating foreign waters or using illegal fishing gear or means.

In particular, local leaders had the opportunity to directly participate in inspecting and supervising fishing vessels at sea. From there, local leaders made decisions to remove the "yellow card" and mobilized inter-sectoral and inter-local coordination, especially with the Coast Guard, to create a solid management posture at sea, contributing to the early removal of the "yellow card" for the Vietnamese fisheries industry. Local leaders also understood more clearly the difficulties and challenges of the Coast Guard in the process of performing their duties, especially in detecting and chasing away foreign vessels that encroached on Vietnamese waters. There were times when Coast Guard vessels had to persistently send signals and propagate many times to force the violating vessels out of the demarcated area.

In addition, the delegation organized many meaningful activities such as: Releasing flowers to commemorate 9 officers and staff of flight crew CASA-212, number 8983, who heroically sacrificed their lives while on duty at sea and fishermen who died while working and living in this area. The delegation also presented more than 200 gifts to families with meritorious services and students with difficult circumstances on the islands; presented more than 500 national flags to fishermen working at sea... Although the material value of the gifts was not large, these were sincere feelings, contributing to encouraging people to stay at sea and on the islands.

- From the above results, in the coming time, what solutions will Coast Guard Region 1 implement to continue accompanying fishermen and contribute to removing the IUU "yellow card"?

+ First of all, we will organize a comprehensive experience drawing from the recent survey to complete the coordination plan with the provinces in the coming time. On that basis, each year, Coast Guard Region 1 will continue to organize survey teams at different sea and island routes to strengthen the practical and effective coordination relationship between the Coast Guard and the authorities of coastal localities.

Along with that, we will increase patrolling, inspection and control activities at sea, especially in areas with high risk of IUU violations, to promptly detect and prevent illegal fishing activities. In the first quarter of 2025, it is encouraging that through inspection, no fishing vessels of fishermen in the Gulf of Tonkin have been recorded violating foreign waters to exploit seafood. This is a very positive signal, but we are determined to continue to maintain and promote it.

Regarding propaganda, we will continue to closely coordinate with localities and socio-political organizations such as the Youth Union, Women's Union, Veterans Association, etc. to promote communication about IUU to each fisherman and each coastal household. In particular, we will continue to widely implement programs such as "Coast Guard accompanies fishermen", the contest "I love my homeland's sea and islands" in island districts and coastal schools to raise awareness of law compliance from the young generation.

- Ask for Major general Share more about the role of Quang Ninh province in the recent coordination program and your expectations for the coming time?

+ Quang Ninh is one of the localities with a long coastline, a large number of fishermen, vibrant fishing activities, especially with many islands and strategic sea areas such as Co To, Van Don... During the survey trip, the leaders of Quang Ninh province clearly demonstrated their initiative, close attention and cooperation with the Coast Guard in all activities.

We highly expect that in the coming time, Quang Ninh province will continue to be the leading locality in coordinating propaganda, inspection, supervision and support for fishermen to strictly implement regulations on combating IUU fishing. With the high determination of the entire political system, the participation of the people and functional forces, I believe that Quang Ninh in particular and the whole country in general will gradually meet the recommendations of the EC, move towards removing the "yellow card", and enhance the position of Vietnamese seafood in the international market.

- Thank you very much Major General !