Preventing illegal fishing in Thi Nai lagoon

Immediately after its launch, Tuy Phuoc Commune People's Committee developed a plan and established a Steering Committee to implement Directive No. 45/CT-TTg dated December 13, 2017 of the Prime Minister on a number of urgent tasks and solutions to address the European Commission's warning on illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing in the commune. At the same time, it directed the commune's functional forces to organize patrols and control the situation of fishing in Thi Nai lagoon.

Tuy Phuoc Commune resolutely handles the act of using electric shocks and rigging fishing machines on Thi Nai lagoon. Photo: NN

Then, on July 9, the Commune People's Committee issued a plan to coordinate patrols to prevent and promptly handle violations, especially fishing boats operating without full documents as prescribed; using electric shocks, mechanical rigs, folding cages, and dredges to exploit aquatic products on Thi Nai lagoon...

Ms. Nguyen Thi Bich Phuong - Vice Chairwoman of Tuy Phuoc Commune People's Committee - said: The commune is implementing the establishment of a working group and proposing to coordinate the establishment of an inter-sectoral working group including localities assigned to manage Thi Nai lagoon area, the Provincial Fisheries Sub-Department and Nhon Ly Border Guard Station to organize patrols, control and handle violations of the law in fishing activities on the lagoon. Depending on the actual situation, the working groups will decide on the appropriate and effective number of patrols per month until the end of 2025.

In addition, the Commune Economic Department is assigned to coordinate with the Department of Culture and Society to strengthen the propaganda and dissemination of the Fisheries Law; Decree No. 38/2024/ND-CP dated April 5, 2024 of the Government stipulating administrative sanctions in the field of fisheries; documents of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment regulating the exploitation and protection of aquatic resources; the harmful effects of fishing by electric pulses, mechanical trawling, trawling, and cage nets. The Economic Department also completes and replicates co-management models and core groups to protect aquatic resources in Tuy Phuoc commune according to the Fisheries Law, creating favorable conditions for this force to coordinate with local authorities to prevent violations of the law in fishing on the lagoon.

Electric shock for fishing causes most fish species in Thi Nai lagoon to lose their ability to reproduce. Photo: Ngoc Nga

In response to the drastic and timely intervention of the local government, Mr. Huynh Van Trinh - Head of Nhan An village - said that he will actively encourage fishing boat owners to apply for fishing licenses according to regulations. The village is also planning meetings to propagate and encourage households to switch to fishing in accordance with the law. Particularly in cases of using electric shocks and mechanical circuses, the village will continue to encourage people to voluntarily dismantle and destroy the circus tools installed on fishing boats and switch to legal forms of fishing.

According to the Party Secretary of the commune, Le Thi Vinh Huong, promoting the effectiveness achieved in the efforts to combat IUU fishing in the area, Tuy Phuoc commune continues to "say no to electric shocks and machine circuses" and join hands to protect the sustainable ecological environment in Thi Nai lagoon. The commune police continue to arrange officers to participate in patrolling the lagoon, preventing on the shore and proposing highly deterrent solutions.

Source: https://baogialai.com.vn/ngan-chan-tinh-trang-khai-thac-thuy-san-trai-phep-tren-dam-thi-nai-post560595.html