Thanh Hoa (VNA) – Vice Chairman of the People’s Committee of the north – central province of Thanh Hoa Le Duc Giang demanded that by December 19, coastal localities must thoroughly resolve “three-no's” fishing vessels (no registrations, no checks, no licences), in a bid to fight illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

Addressing a conference on urgent tasks to combat IUU fishing on December 10, Giang asked the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to urgently collaborate with relevant forces to address violations, enhance patrols and control, and strictly handle fishing vessels with violations, particularly those with repeated administrative violations.

He also underlined the need to pay heed to counting fishing output through fishing ports.

Director of the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Cao Van Cuong affirmed that the local agricultural sector will coordinate with localities, agencies, and relevant forces to intensify patrols and control in coastal areas, strictly handle violations, and closely monitor fishing vessels entering and leaving fishing ports, estuaries, fish docks, and informal anchorage areas.

The department reported that as of December 10, Thanh Hoa has 147 “two-no's” (no registrations, no licences) and “three-no's” fishing boats; and 58 others have not activated their monitoring devices for over six months.

In 2024, the local authorities have enhanced patrols and control at sea, along river mouths, beaches, and fishing ports to resolutely prevent fishing vessels from operating at sea without the necessary documents, and equipment as required; and strictly punished those that violated regulations on IUU fishing with a total fine of 2.3 billion VND (over 90,700 USD).

Thanh Hoa currently has 6,705 fishing vessels, including 1,106 vessels that are 15 metres or longer. The total number of people involved in offshore fishing exceeds 25,000, while tens of thousands are working in seafood processing and fisheries logistics services.

Joining the whole country’s efforts to realise the European Commission’s (EC) recommendations on combating IUU fishing, the local departments, sectors and authorities have strengthened communication campaigns and training activities to po☂pularise legal regulations regarding marine resources exploitation and protection, aquaculture, and IUU fishing combat./.