Facing pressure to remove the European Commission’s (EC) “yellow card” on Vietnamese seafood, Gia Lai province has sent out a strong message about accelerating the implementation of measures to prevent and combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. Focusing on two main risk groups, the locality has taken drastic actions to put an end to fishing vessels violating foreign waters and operating illegally.

Accordingly, Vice Chairman of Gia Lai Provincial People's Committee Duong Mah Tiep has just signed a directive document on continuing to seriously and effectively implement tasks and solutions to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. This directive is considered a drastic step in the context that the entire industry is focusing on handling existing problems to meet the Government 's requirements and international commitments.

Review and clearly identify 650 ships that are not qualified to operate.

The Provincial People's Committee requests the Heads of relevant agencies and Chairmen of the People's Committees of coastal communes and wards to seriously implement the direction of the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee. At the same time, focus on reviewing and rectifying the work of combating IUU fishing in accordance with the direction of the Government and the Provincial People's Committee. At the same time, focus on thoroughly handling two groups of major existing risks such as fishing vessels at risk of violating foreign waters and fishing vessels that do not meet the conditions but still operate illegally.

The Provincial People's Committee assigned the Department of Agriculture and Environment to preside over and compile a list of fishing vessels that are not qualified to operate (no fishing vessel registration, fishing license, not yet installed with GSHT) and send it to the People's Committees of coastal communes and wards for public announcement and daily monitoring. Coordinate with the Border Guard Command, the Provincial Police and localities to organize a peak period of inspection and patrol, especially at the beaches and anchorages outside the fishing port system. Coordinate with the People's Committees of coastal communes and wards to review and clearly identify 650 vessels that are not qualified to operate, assign local authorities to take strict management measures, and not let the vessels go to sea. Coordinate with localities to urgently request the installation or return to shore of 30 fishing vessels that do not have GSHT signals (especially 16 vessels in Phu My Dong commune). Preside over and coordinate with relevant agencies, People's Committees of coastal communes and wards to strengthen the dissemination of fisheries laws, regulations on criminal handling of illegal fishing ...

Assign the Provincial Border Guard Command to direct Border Guard stations to strictly control 100% of fishing vessels entering and leaving ports; do not allow fishing vessels that do not meet the conditions to go to sea. Organize strict control of GSHT equipment, handle vessels that lose connection, cross the border, and exploit in the wrong area according to regulations. Coordinate closely with localities in handling vessels that do not meet the conditions for operation, especially those anchored at the beach. Regularly work with the Border Guard Commands of the Southern provinces to inspect and promptly prevent fishing vessels of the province from operating outside the province in violation of regulations.

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Strictly control 100% of fishing vessels entering and leaving port

Tightly control 16 fishing boats that have not installed journey monitoring equipment

The document, signed by Vice Chairman of Gia Lai Provincial People's Committee Duong Mah Tiep, clearly stated that the People's Committees of coastal communes and wards shall continue to notify, guide, and support fishermen in carrying out fishing vessel inspections and granting fishing licenses according to regulations; in case fishing vessel owners do not comply, the organization shall move the vessels to a centralized anchorage in the locality, assign functional forces to manage, closely monitor, and not allow these fishing vessels to go to sea. In special cases, fishing vessel owners facing difficulties shall proactively support funds and food to stabilize their lives according to regulations.

Continue to gather and gather fishing vessels that are not qualified for fishing activities to an anchorage area, assign cadres and party members to monitor each vessel, closely monitor the anchorage location of each fishing vessel; do not allow fishing vessels that are not qualified to operate to go fishing.

Particularly in Phu My Dong commune, the People's Committee of the commune was assigned to direct strict control of 16 fishing vessels with a length of 15m or more that have not installed voyage monitoring equipment, accurately determine the operating status and anchorage location of each fishing vessel; require fishing vessel owners to install voyage monitoring equipment before being allowed to take part in fishing activities.

Specifically, cases of anchoring outside the province must make a list and send it to the Department of Agriculture and Environment and the Border Guard Command to coordinate with the provinces to not allow the ships to engage in fishing activities. For cases of anchoring within the province, organize a gathering, bring fishing boats ashore, assign party members to be in charge, monitor each ship, and not allow the ships to engage in fishing activities. Promptly report to the authorities for handling if the ship owner intentionally lets the ship engage in fishing activities.

Every month, the Working Group directly works with local and provincial ship owners and captains to mobilize and request that IUU fishing not be violated, especially illegal fishing in foreign waters.

The Vice Chairman of Gia Lai Provincial People's Committee requested the People's Committees of Cat Tien, De Gi, An Luong, and Phu My Dong communes to strengthen advocacy and propaganda work and require owners of fishing boats under 15m long fishing for squid in the southern provinces not to violate foreign waters...

Lan Hien

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/chong-khai-thac-iuu-gia-lai-cam-tau-ca-khong-du-dieu-kien-ra-khoi-2422003.html