Soc Trang Province Resolved to Fight IUU Fishing

Authorities of the Mekong Delta province of Soc Trang have coordinated closely to popularise regulations to prevent and combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing among the local fishermen.

The Trung Binh Border Post based in Tran De district, the Fisheries Sub-Department, and the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Soc Trang on April 15 jointly held a conference on anti-IUU fishing rules for nearly 100 local fishermen as well as captains and vessel owners in the district.

Fishermen in Soc Trang are presented with 100 national flags and 50 lifebuoys at the conference. Photo: Van Long

At the event, participants were updated on the European Commission (EC)’s regulations on fishing, the impacts of the EC’s yellow card warning against Vietnamese seafood exports, as well as the Prime Minister’s directions on urgent tasks and measures to remove the warning, along with legal regulations regarding fisheries.

They also received guidance on processing procedures to make port enter and exit registration on the fishing vessel management system.

According to leaders of the Soc Trang Border Guard Command, the activity aims to enhance local fishermen’s awareness and sense of responsibility on legal fishing activities, while calling for the engagement of all sectors and localities in encouraging fishermen to strictly implement fisheries regulations.

Alongside, the popularization of laws and policies also helps mobilize the engagement of fishermen in protecting the national sovereignty over seas and islands in the new situation.

On the occasion, 100 national flags and 50 lifebuoys were presented to local fishermen.

Tan Thanh Border Guard Station donates national flags, life jackets and distributes leaflets to fishermen. Photo: Trung Thanh

Before that, on April 9, a conference was held to review the implementation of Directive No.30- CT/TU of the Party Committee of the south-central coastal province of Binh Thuan on urgent tasks to enhance the management of fishing vessels and fishermen and end fishing in foreign waters.

With over 7,800 fishing vessels and 44,500 laborers engaged directly in fishing activities, Binh Thuan is one of the leading localities nationwide in terms of fishing capacity and seafood output.

According to Nguyen Van Chien, Deputy Director of the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, thanks to the serious implementation of urgent measures along with the efforts of the entire political system, the locality witnessed positive results in preventing IUU fishing.

Notably, since January 2023, no fishing vessels violating relevant regulations have been detected. Binh Thuan has so far completed the installation of vessel monitoring systems (VMS) equipment on all 5m-long fishing boats.

Binh Thuan has become the first locality in the country where all vessels have been certified seaworthy, according to Huynh Quang Huy, Director of provincial Fisheries Sub-Department.

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