Seafood Media Group – Worldnews
The electronic catch documentation and traceability system (eCDT) is an innovative application designed to monitor and certify the origin of seafood caught by domestic fishing vessels. This system ensures compliance with European Commission requirements, bolstering transparency and legality in the seafood supply chain.
The eCDT system enhances the accuracy of seafood statistics and streamlines traceability, benefiting fishermen and businesses while creating favorable conditions for sustainable fisheries management.
According to Vũ Duyên Hải, Deputy Director of the Department of Fisheries under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the eCDT software enables agencies to efficiently manage fishing fleets and monitor landing output across localities, even when vessels dock at ports outside their home provinces.
Fishing Port Management Board staff check fishermen’s journey via application (Photo: NV)
Additionally, the system promotes compliance with legal regulations to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, fostering greater accountability among fishermen and businesses.
“By using the eCDT system, stakeholders, including fishermen, fishing port management boards, border guards, fisheries departments, and export enterprises, can reduce costs and streamline procedures in line with legal requirements,” Hải noted.
Widespread Deployment and Benefits
The eCDT system has been deployed across 80 fishing ports and fish boarding points in coastal provinces and cities. The Department of Fisheries has issued system accounts to five key participants in the seafood supply chain: fishermen, fishing port management boards, border guards, fisheries sub-departments, and export enterprises.
Local Departments of Agriculture and Rural Development have directed units to train fishermen in using the software. Coastal cities and provinces have also allocated staff and equipment at fishing ports to support its implementation.
Nguyễn Văn Ba, Head of the Hòn Rớ Fishing Port Management Board in Khánh Hòa Province, emphasized that adopting digital technology in fisheries management is an inevitable trend.
“Effective use of the app saves time, labor, and costs while ensuring the transparency of seafood product origins,” said Ba.
Looking ahead, the eCDT system will phase out paper logs, replacing them with electronic logs. Procedures for vessel departures and docking will also be integrated into the software, enhancing management efficiency and accuracy.
The app offers significant convenience for fishermen, eliminating the need for physical documents and reducing the time spent on port procedures. Additionally, electronic logs will minimize errors caused by harsh conditions at sea, allowing for more reliable data and timely support during incidents.
Impact on Fisheries Management
For management authorities, the eCDT app improves inspections and monitoring of fishing vessel activities at ports. By increasing transparency and reliability, the system reduces errors and ensures accurate issuance of seafood origin certificates.
Officers of the Da Nang Department of Fisheries guide fishermen to install the application (Photo: NV)
The introduction of the electronic seafood traceability system marks a critical step in addressing the European Commission’s “yellow card” warning and advancing fisheries management efficiency.
Challenges and Next Steps
Despite its benefits, the system’s implementation faces challenges, such as inconsistent deployment and initial difficulties for fishermen unfamiliar with the app. Further training and guidance are essential to ensure smooth adoption, particularly for those operating in remote or under-resourced areas.
Currently in the testing phase, the software is being refined to enhance its user-friendliness and efficiency. However, broader success will require:
- Strengthening legal frameworks at local levels.
- Upgrading IT infrastructure at fishing ports.
- Conducting comprehensive training and communication campaigns.
- Enforcing compliance measures for all stakeholders.
Hải stressed the importance of coordination between the Department of Fisheries and local authorities to expand awareness and usage of the eCDT system. These efforts will be instrumental in ensuring the sustainable growth of Vietnam’s seafood industry and maintaining its competitiveness in global markets.
