Tra Vinh: Focuses on addressing IUU fishing issues
The province currently has 271 vessels over 15 meters, 849 vessels under 15 meters, and 123 "three-no" vessels (unregistered, unlicensed, and without inspection). Since October 2023, 146 fishing vessels in Tra Vinh have lost VMS (vessel monitoring system) connectivity for over 6 hours, with 2 vessels disconnected for over 10 days and 17 vessels for more than 6 months.
Implementing Official Letter No. 520-CV/BCSD dated November 11, 2024, from the Party Committee of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development on strictly focusing on combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, Tra Vinh has issued a plan to address the existing shortcomings in IUU compliance. Many results have been achieved through the coordinated efforts of Tra Vinh’s Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) with related units such as the Provincial Border Guard Command and local authorities across districts, towns, and cities.
According to the Tra Vinh IUU Steering Committee Office, as of the end of December 2024, the implementation of Decision No. 2129/QD-UBND (dated November 29, 2024) by the provincial People’s Committee has focused on four key areas:
- Public information and communication.
- Addressing shortcomings in vessel management and monitoring of fishing activities.
- Rectifying deficiencies in port inspection and verifying the origin of aquatic products.
- Strengthening law enforcement and penalizing IUU fishing violations.
By the end of December 2024, all tasks with specific deadlines under Decision No. 2129/QD-UBND had been completed. The IUU Steering Committee continues to collaborate with local authorities to educate fishers and vessel owners about legal compliance, enforce strict measures against IUU violations, and enhance patrols and inspections in coastal areas.
To ensure compliance, DARD has reviewed expired licenses and registration certificates, deregistered scrapped and inactive vessels, and mandated VMS installation for vessels over 15 meters. Violators—including those with unregistered, unlicensed, or uninspected vessels—face penalties. Other infractions, such as unauthorized port entry/exit and failure to submit fishing logs, are also strictly punished.
Local authorities, including the Provincial Border Guard Command and relevant agencies, have taken measures to ensure no new “three-no” vessels are added after December 15, 2024. Weekly updates on fishing vessel statuses are uploaded to national databases and VMS systems.
Nguyen Thua Thinh, a representative of DARD’s Fisheries Inspection Office, noted that as of mid-December 2024, all vessel owners with expired registration or fishing licenses were notified. Non-compliant vessels have been removed from national fisheries databases. Additionally, patrols and inspections have been intensified, ensuring 100% compliance with legal requirements for all vessels.
Nguyen Thanh Thanh, Director of the Provincial Fishing Port Authority, reported that in 2024, 3,028 vessel departures and 2,573 arrivals were inspected at Dinh An Fishing Port. Authorities collaborated with DARD to educate 5,601 vessel owners and captains on the 2017 Fisheries Law and regulations on IUU prevention. They were also guided on completing fishing logs, transshipment records, and catch documentation before departing the port.
Overall, Tra Vinh’s coordinated actions aim to prevent IUU violations, enhance monitoring and enforcement, and ensure sustainable fishing practices that align with international standards.
VFM