Soc Trang: Rushes to review IUU fishing regulations
The Soc Trang Department of Agriculture and Rural Development is conducting a thorough review of its IUU (Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated) fishing regulations, preparing for the fifth inspection by the European Commission (EC).
According to statistics from the Soc Trang Fisheries Sub-department, a total of 803 fishing boats in the province have been registered. Among these, 302 boats have lengths between 6 and 12 meters, while 156 boats are between 12 and 15 meters in length.
For the 345 fishing boats that are 15 meters or longer, 100% have been equipped with Voyage Monitoring System (VMS) devices as required. The fisheries sector has issued 51 certificates of seafood with a total weight of 1,752 tons.
Additionally, the department has either renewed or extended 322 fishing licenses for boats 15 meters or longer, achieving nearly 95% coverage. Efforts are ongoing to encourage the remaining boat owners to renew their fishing licenses.
Furthermore, the Soc Trang Fisheries Sub-department and the Tran De Fishing Port Management Board (in Tran De District) are collaborating with border patrol forces and coastal localities to implement an electronic seafood traceability system.
This initiative has assisted 250 boat owners and captains in downloading and installing the application, and registered accounts for six certified seafood companies.
During this inspection, the team will focus on checking the observation systems and tracking devices on fishing boats operating at sea; reviewing the promotional materials such as banners and posters at the port related to IUU fishing regulations. They will also review the procedures for boats docking at the port to ensure all conditions are met for the European Commission’s inspection, scheduled for October 2024.
Huynh Ngoc Nha, Director of the Soc Trang Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, noted that the province is intensifying its efforts to combat IUU fishing. To date, the review and registration of all local fishing boats, marking of boats, issuance of fishing licenses, and installation of VMS devices, which are operational 24/7, are being expedited. All fishing boat data is being updated into the National Fisheries Database (VNFishbase).
Soc Trang Province is also effectively implementing Coordination Regulation No. 208/QCPH-UBND, dated January 14, 2019, with neighboring provinces to monitor 100% of the province’s fishing boats operating outside the local area.
VFM
