Binh Thuan: Urgent implementation of four key tasks to combat IUU fishing

This effort is crucial in preparation for the European Commission’s (EC) fifth inspection. The provincial chairman has instructed the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development—acting as the standing body of the Provincial Steering Committee—along with relevant agencies and coastal district, town, and city authorities to urgently review and fully implement the tasks outlined by the ministry.

The directive focuses on four key priorities:

Strengthening Fisheries Management

Conduct a thorough review and compile a list of fishing vessels that fail to meet operational requirements, including those that are unregistered, lack technical safety certification, have not been issued fishing licenses, or have yet to install vessel monitoring systems (VMS). Strictly prohibit unqualified vessels from setting out to sea.

Ensure that all operational fishing vessels clearly display registration numbers and markings as required.

Provinces such as Ninh Binh, Quang Binh, Da Nang, Binh Thuan, Ben Tre, and Kien Giang must announce inshore and nearshore fishing license quotas for the 2024–2029 period in accordance with the Fisheries Law.

Local authorities should establish specific criteria for approving new vessel construction, modifications, and leasing, ensuring alignment with the national fisheries development strategy for 2021–2030.

Enhancing Vessel Monitoring

Publish a weekly list of vessels at high risk of IUU fishing violations on the VMS database to facilitate inspections and enforcement.

Ensure that all fishing vessels over 15 meters in length maintain an active VMS connection while operating at sea.

Operate a 24/7 monitoring system to track vessel movements, detect violations, and issue timely alerts.

Cross-check vessel arrivals at designated ports with official registration records to identify and penalize those failing to comply with unloading regulations.

Conduct strict inspections of vessels entering and leaving ports, fishing logs, transshipment records, VMS data, and unloading volumes, ensuring proper documentation.

Ensuring Seafood Traceability

Require all designated fishing ports to input daily data into the Google Sheets system managed by the Fisheries Department.

Continue implementing the electronic seafood traceability system (eCDT) to monitor all vessels entering and leaving ports.

Utilize eCDT data as the basis for issuing Seafood Origin Confirmation Certificates (SC) and Seafood Catch Certificates (CC) in accordance with regulations.

Strengthening Law Enforcement

Finalize and report administrative penalties for all confirmed cases of Vietnamese vessels violating foreign waters since October 2023.

Complete documentation and take strict action against vessels found to have removed or transferred VMS devices.

Review and enforce penalties for vessels failing to maintain VMS connections or illegally crossing fishing boundaries, especially those over 24 meters in length, where local explanations for violations do not align with legal regulations.

Prepare for an upcoming inspection by the inter-ministerial task force on fisheries law enforcement, led by the Ministry of Justice, as per the directive of Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha at the 12th National Steering Committee Meeting on IUU Fishing Prevention.

With the EC’s fifth inspection approaching, swift and effective action is essential to ensure compliance with anti-IUU fishing regulations.

VFM