Nam Dinh (VNA) - In recent years, along with maintaining combat readiness and firmly safeguarding territorial sovereignty, the border guard force in Nam Dinh province has made significant strides in combating crime and working with relevant agencies to implement measures against illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

As the Lunar New Year of the Snake is approaching, Ninh Co fishing port in Thinh Long town, Hai Hau district, has seen bustling activities as boats have continuously entered and left the harbor. Thanks to the concerted efforts of various agencies, fishermen's compliance with legal regulations for fishing has seen marked improvements.

Nguyen Van Tuan, a boat owner, shared that with the dissemination efforts of relevant authorities, particularly the border guard force, he now routinely submits all necessary documents to the Hai Thinh Port Border Guard Station to obtain departure clearance before setting sail. This practice, he noted, has become a regular habit for both fishermen and vessel owners in the area.

Nam Dinh province boasts a 72-kilometre coastline spanning three coastal districts of Giao Thuy, Hai Hau, and Nghia Hung.

According to Major Nguyen Van Dinh, head of the Hai Thinh Port Border Guard Station, the unit will intensify efforts during the Lunar New Year (Tet) holiday and throughout 2025 to educate fishermen on understanding and adhering to legal regulations while fishing at sea. The station will maintain strict inspection and patrol protocols to closely monitor individuals, vessels, and goods entering and exiting the area under its jurisdiction.

In 2024, the Nam Dinh provincial Border Guard Command successfully implemented measures to combat IUU fishing, he said, elaborating that efforts to exchange information and address violations were rigorously strengthened, resulting in heightened compliance among organisations and individuals engaged in marine resource exploitation.

Border guard units conducted 1,738 patrols in estuaries and along beaches, involving over 3,470 officers and soldiers. They inspected 16,710 vessels carrying more than 58,480 individuals, uncovering and addressing violations with administrative fines totaling over 3.2 billion VND (approximately 126,113 USD), Dinh stated.

Colonel Pham Van Hoa, head of the Nam Dinh provincial Border Guard Command, emphasised that in the coming time, the force will continue to tighten controls over fishing vessels at harbors, ports, and mooring areas🌃 along the sea border. Vessels lacking proper documents and equipment will be barred from heading to sea. Strict penalties will be enforced, especially for vessels encroaching on foreign waters. These efforts, he added, are part of a broader national initiative to have the European Commissi🌃on's yellow card imposed on Vietnamese seafood lifted./.