Bac Lieu (VNA) – By implementing a series of effective measures—most notably the strict refusal to issue port departure and sailing permits to ineligible fishing vessels, the Mekong Delta province of Bac Lieu has made significant progress in addressing shortcomings in the fight against illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, contributing to efforts towards having the European Commission (EC)'s “yellow card” lifted for Vietnamese seafood.

Director of the provincial Department of Agriculture and Environment Luu Hoang Ly said that in recent years, the locality has maintained strict inspections and control of fishing vessels entering and exiting ports as well as those operating at sea. It has strictly handled vehicles that do not have sufficient documentation, communication equipment, or maritime safety devices, along with unregistered fishing boats and those without the vessel monitoring system (VMS).

Local authorities have focused inspections on vessels with high engine capacity, those over 15 metres in length, and ships engaged in long offshore fishing trips. Unqualified vessels have been prohibited from setting sail while tough penalties imposed on fishermen and vessels committing violations, according to Chairman of the Hoa Binh district People's Committee Ho Van Linh.

Besides, police have taken various measures to crack down on individuals involved in organising or facilitating illegal border crossings for unauthorised fishing in foreign waters, thus effectively contributing to the province’s efforts in fighting IUU fishing.

The police force has enhanced coordination with Coast Guard Region 4, the Border Guard, the Department of Agriculture and Environment, and other relevant agencies to increase communications and legal education activities to raise fishermen's awareness of IUU fishing, said Deputy Director of the provincial Department of Public Security Colonel Le Thanh Hung.

Police of Bac Lieu have also collaborated with law enforcement forces in nine other southern coastal provinces—Ca Mau, Kien Giang, Soc Trang, Tra Vinh, Ben Tre, Tien Giang, Binh Thuan, Ba Ria - Vung Tau, and Ho Chi Minh City—to rigorously enforce a plan targeting individuals who organise and facilitate illegal entry and exit for unauthorised fishing in foreign waters. Notably, the Bac Lieu police have verified information on 11 fishermen and three fishing vessels involved in illegal fishing in foreign waters. Additionally, 33 cases of violations were settled with administrative fines issued.

Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Pham Van Thieu said Bac Lieu considers combating IUU fishing as an urgent, important, and long-term task to ensure the sustainable development of its fishery industry.

In the coming time, he added, coordination among relevant agencies will be boosted to better monitor and manage fishing vessels’ operations, supervise aquatic catch and traceability, step up t𝐆he settlement of violating vessels, promote support for fishermnen, and properly implement fishery resources development plans, thereby gaining more positive results in the IUU fishing combat, protecting aquatic resources, and expanding the presence of local aquatic products in international markets./.