Binh Dinh resolutely fights against IUU fishing

Binh Dinh resolutely fights against IUU fishing - Photo 1.

Binh Dinh Provincial Border Guards check fishing vessel tracking equipment

Border Guard: Core force in combating IUU fishing

With a large offshore fishing fleet, Binh Dinh is one of the localities that the Central Government pays special attention to in the fight against IUU fishing. According to statistics, Binh Dinh has nearly 6,000 fishing vessels with a length of 6m or more, of which more than 3,100 vessels with a length of 15m or more have been fully equipped with VMS. Thanks to synchronous solutions, from May 2024 to now, no fishing vessel of the province has violated foreign waters.

In recent times, the provincial Border Guard has promoted its core role, closely coordinating with local Party committees, authorities and functional forces to thoroughly prevent fishing vessels from violating foreign waters.

According to the Border Guard of Binh Dinh province, since the beginning of 2024, border guards have organized more than 80 propaganda sessions, attracting more than 4,600 fishermen to participate, assigning 62 party members to be in charge of 306 households related to fishing. In addition, more than 6,200 ship owners have signed a commitment not to violate foreign waters.

Not only promoting propaganda, the provincial Border Guard is determined to strictly handle violations. In the first quarter of 2025, the provincial Border Guard increased inspections and fined 31 cases with a total of VND857.5 million.

At the end of May, the Border Guard of Binh Dinh province fined 10 fishing boat captains for violating regulations on aquatic exploitation. Specifically, based on the violation records, the Border Guard decided to administratively fine 8 captains with a fine of 75 million VND/person; revoked the right to use captain's certificate for 9 months. Another captain was fined 17 million VND and revoked the right to use captain's certificate for 4.5 months; the remaining case was fined 25 million VND because the voyage monitoring device did not transmit data.

Binh Dinh resolutely fights against IUU fishing - Photo 2.

Forces coordinate to inspect fishing activities at sea

Synchronized action, determined to remove the "yellow card"

Determining that removing the IUU "yellow card" is to ensure national interests and sustainable livelihoods for the people, Binh Dinh is mobilizing the entire political system to participate.

In early June, the Provincial People's Committee established an inter-sectoral working group headed by the Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment, in coordination with the Police and Border Guard forces to inspect and review all fishing vessels that have not been inspected, have not renewed their fishing licenses, or have not registered.

The task force is responsible for classifying, guiding, and supporting fishermen in completing procedures according to regulations. In particularly difficult cases, there will be policies to support food and funding to stabilize their lives. At the same time, unqualified vessels will be gathered at a centralized anchorage, strictly managed, and not allowed to go to sea to operate illegally.

Hoai Nhon town, one of the localities with the largest number of fishing vessels in the province, is promoting the synchronous implementation of IUU control solutions. The town currently manages more than 2,500 fishing vessels with a length of 6m or more.

At Tam Quan fishing port, output control, origin confirmation and information tracing are seriously implemented. The Border Guard coordinates with the Port Management Board to inspect and monitor 100% of ships entering and leaving the port. Fishermen are propagandized and mobilized to join solidarity groups and fishing associations to raise awareness of compliance with IUU regulations. Supervision responsibilities are specifically assigned to the People's Committees of communes and wards, and officials are held responsible if violations occur.

Currently, more than 80 fishing vessels at high risk of IUU violations in Hoai Nhon have been temporarily suspended from leaving port to complete documents and licenses. Acts of turning off VMS or not reporting the journey are strictly handled; 100% of offshore fishing vessels are licensed and fully equipped with VMS.

Mr. Pham Anh Tuan, Chairman of Binh Dinh Provincial People's Committee, said that he has directed relevant units to closely monitor fishing vessels entering and leaving the port; strictly handle cases of fishing vessels that do not meet the requirements but still participate in fishing. Binh Dinh will launch a peak period from now until September 2025 to continue handling, aiming to remove the EC yellow card.

Minh Trang

Source: https://baochinhphu.vn/binh-dinh-quyet-liet-chong-khai-thac-iuu-102250626153544939.htm