Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang: Let's work together to remove the "yellow card"

SGGPO June 26, 2023 20:42

On the evening of June 26, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang visited Kien Giang province to inspect the fight against IUU fishing (illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing).

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang: Let's work together to remove the

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang inspects the Tac Cau fishing port in Chau Thanh district, Kien Giang province. Photo: QUOC BINH

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang visited Tac Cau fishing port (where there are dozens of seafood processing factories for export and where all the fish caught are concentrated). Afterwards, the Deputy Prime Minister had a working session with leaders of Kien Giang province and representatives of fishermen.

According to the IUU Steering Committee of Kien Giang province, the total number of registered fishing vessels in Kien Giang province is 9,515, of which 4,277 are fishing vessels with a length of 6m to under 12m, 1,540 are fishing vessels with a length of 12m to under 15m, and 3,698 are fishing vessels with a length of 15m or more. The number of fishing vessels with installed voyage monitoring devices is 3,634/3,698, accounting for 98.26% of fishing vessels with a length of 15m or more; the remaining 64 fishing vessels are on shore and have not installed voyage monitoring devices.

Recently, departments and branches of Kien Giang province have handled 85 cases/85 vessels with a total fine of over 2.6 billion VND. Localities have drawn up records and issued decisions to administratively sanction 57/116 fishing vessels with a total fine of 602 million VND. The Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee and departments and branches of the province have sanctioned 50 cases of using illegal voyage monitoring devices with a total fine of over 9.5 billion VND.

Mr. Truong Van Ngu, Chairman of Rach Gia City Fisheries Association, said that IUU violations are caused by some greedy people connecting fishing lines to foreign countries, but the advantages are few and the difficulties are many. Some people are even deceived by these lines and the consequences are losing fishing boats and all their assets.

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang shared the difficulties the province is facing in handling IUU violations and the difficulties of fishermen. The Deputy Prime Minister said that recently, localities in the country, specifically Kien Giang province, have shown many positive signs in their efforts to combat IUU fishing.

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang presents gifts to fishermen. Photo: QUOC BINH

“I sympathize with the local comrades who have made great efforts and are also worried, but I hope that you and the people still have about 3 more months to strive so that from now until then, no more ships will be caught by foreign countries. If localities work together to do this, there is a possibility of removing the yellow card. If you cannot remove it and get a red card, there is no way, your fish cannot be sold anywhere, affecting the lives of millions, tens of millions of people, making it very difficult for the whole country,” Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang shared.

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