Green-uniformed soldiers join the fight against IUU fishing

Joining hands to remove the European Commission's "yellow card" on Vietnam's fisheries industry, recently, the Coast Guard Station, Thanh Hoa Border Guard (BĐBP) has implemented many measures to prevent and combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, resolutely and promptly handling violations.

Sam Son Border Guard Station has increased patrolling, control, propaganda and mobilization of fishermen to strictly comply with regulations on aquatic exploitation.

Sam Son Border Guard Station is assigned to manage and protect the security of the maritime border in 14 communes and wards of Sam Son City and Quang Xuong District. This area has a coastline of 29.5km, 2 estuaries with nearly 2,700 ships and boats. Since the beginning of 2024, Sam Son Border Guard Station has organized propaganda at the mooring ports for ships and boats, and visited each fisherman's house to mobilize hundreds of vessels to sign a commitment to comply with regulations on fishing. In addition, the unit organized propaganda on the loudspeaker system of the city and wards and communes; distributed leaflets and brochures; hung banners and propaganda slogans at the estuaries. The propaganda content focuses on regulations on preventing and combating illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing; Vietnam Coast Guard Law; Vietnam Sea Law; Fisheries Law; Prime Minister 's directives on preventing illegal fishing in foreign waters; Government Decree on administrative sanctions for violations in the fisheries sector... At the same time, coordinate with Thanh Hoa Fisheries Sub-Department, Lach Hoi Fishing Port Management Board, local Party committees and authorities to patrol and control at sea.

Mr. Tran Ngoc Quoc, Quang Tien ward, Sam Son city, owner of fishing boat TH90076TS, said: "Thanks to the propaganda of the Border Guard and local authorities, we fishermen have been aware of the need to strictly comply with regulations when exploiting seafood at sea. We have fully installed journey monitoring equipment and always keep it on during our activities at sea. We also remind each other to always fish in the permitted waters and not to violate foreign waters."

Thanh Hoa has more than 6,500 fishing vessels. Of these, 1,166 are offshore fishing vessels. In recent times, the provincial Border Guard has thoroughly grasped and deployed all stations and sea routes to be on duty 24/7 at river mouths and inlets; strengthened law enforcement measures, resolutely not allowing fishing vessels to go to sea (including vessels from other provinces) without ensuring procedures and documents according to regulations; managed to accurately determine the anchorage locations of "3 no" vessels; firmly grasped the means of transport lacking procedures, documents and safety equipment in the area; focused on handling means of transport deliberately avoiding inspection and control by functional forces.

With the motto "slow and steady wins the race", with the perseverance and efforts of officers and soldiers of the border guard station in propagating and disseminating the law in general, and combating IUU fishing in particular, the owners of vessels and fishermen have complied with the regulations in protecting and sustainably exploiting aquatic and marine resources. At the same time, they have actively and proactively stuck to fishing grounds, both fishing effectively and providing effective support to the Border Guard and other functional forces in the struggle to protect the sovereignty of the sea and islands of the Fatherland. Fishing activities in the border waters of fishermen in Thanh Hoa province have had many positive changes in recent times. The number of fishing vessels violating illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing has decreased sharply. This result is due to the efforts of coastal border units in implementing measures to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, maintain maritime security, and international integration.

Colonel Le Van Nam, Deputy Commander, Chief of Staff of the Provincial Border Guard Command, said: As a force that regularly approaches and connects with fishermen, the Border Guard has promoted its strengths to firmly hold the area. Along with that, the Thanh Hoa Border Guard has strengthened coordination and information exchange with the Coast Guard, Navy, Fisheries Control Department, Border Guard of provinces, and relevant local authorities on the situation of fishing vessel activities, serving the work of management, investigation, verification, and handling of violations; Regularly and suddenly organize to draw lessons and adjust and supplement measures to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the Border Guard's state management in the task of combating IUU fishing... Together with relevant levels, sectors and units, the coastal border force of Thanh Hoa province is determined and making efforts to overcome the EC's recommendations, contributing to the whole country to remove the "yellow card" on seafood in the soonest time, ensuring the interests of the people, protecting the position and image of Vietnam in the international arena.

Article and photos: Hoang Lan

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/nhung-nguoi-linh-quan-ham-xanh-tham-gia-phong-chong-khai-thac-iuu-222610.htm