The 19th meeting of the National Steering Committee on Combating Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing

At the Hung Yen province bridge point, the meeting saw the presence of Mr. Pham Van Nghiem, Member of the Provincial Party Committee, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, and leaders of relevant departments and branches.

Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Pham Van Nghiem and leaders of departments and branches attend the meeting at the Hung Yen province bridge point.

At the meeting, representatives of ministries, branches and localities reported on the results of implementing the work to combat IUU fishing since the 18th meeting. Especially in the management of fishing fleets; monitoring, controlling, supervising fishing vessel activities; tracing origin; enforcing the law, handling IUU fishing violations.

For Hung Yen province, all levels, sectors, localities and fishermen have made great efforts and determination in carrying out tasks and solutions to overcome existing problems and limitations. Up to now, there is no case of fishing vessels or fishermen of the province violating foreign waters or being arrested; fishermen have complied well with the regulations on declaration of import and export, submission of fishing logs, production reports and electronic declaration (eCDT-VN).

The Fisheries Surveillance Force, Border Guard and authorities of coastal communes have increased patrols and controls, thanks to which the situation of fishing vessels violating fishing areas has significantly decreased. There have been no cases of fishing vessels losing connection to the voyage monitoring system (VMS) for more than 10 days or crossing the permitted boundaries at sea. The rate of fishing vessels completing all electronic procedures through the kiosk system for tracing aquatic product origins at fishing ports is increasing, promoting efficiency in management and transparency in the exploitation chain.

The management and supervision of fishing vessels is strictly carried out. Vessels that are not qualified for exploitation are assigned specific responsibilities to localities for monitoring and regularly updating on the province's common data system. The list of vessels that have lost connection or have expired equipment is compiled and made public via Google Sheet to help communes grasp and handle them promptly. Zalo groups between vessel owners and fisheries officials are maintained, helping to propagate, exchange information, and quickly warn about weather conditions and boat anchorage locations.

The province also promotes propaganda against IUU fishing, sending text messages to 100% of vessel owners/captains to promptly inform about new regulations, warn of natural disasters, and ensure safety for people and vehicles operating at sea.

Concluding the meeting, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha highly appreciated the efforts of ministries, branches and localities in fighting against IUU fishing, especially at a time when the whole country is conducting the peak month for this task.

He requested the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment to coordinate with ministries and branches to review and complete the instructions and conclusions of the Prime Minister and the National Steering Committee on Combating IUU Fishing for early promulgation; develop a negotiation scenario with the EC to ensure full information according to regulations, and consistency between ministries, central branches and 21 provinces and cities nationwide. To continue to review and supplement regulations and fishing vessel data in the direction of "correct, sufficient, clean, alive" ...

To focus on resolutely handling violations, not allowing illegal fishing vessels to arise in foreign waters, no longer having VMS connection loss for more than 6 hours, connection loss for more than 10 days without reporting or crossing the fishing boundary.

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha also requested to promote the conversion of banned fishing occupations to the suitable ones, encourage the development of aquaculture, especially high-tech marine aquaculture, to ensure jobs, income and livelihoods for fishermen. Along with that, boost digital transformation, comprehensively digitize the management of fishing activities on electronic platforms.

Central and local media and press agencies continue to promote propaganda work, reflect positive results in the fight against IUU fishing of ministries, branches and localities. Thereby, contributing to spreading the message and determination of Vietnam in managing exploitation and sustainable development of the fisheries sector not only for economic benefits but also as a national responsibility and international obligation in protecting the marine environment and marine ecosystems, associated with maintaining sovereignty and security of the sea and islands of the Fatherland.