Gia Lai focuses on thoroughly handling existing problems in combating IUU fishing

(Chinhphu.vn) - The Chairman of the Gia Lai Provincial People's Committee requested relevant agencies and units to thoroughly handle existing problems and limitations in the fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, to be completed by September 15 at the latest.

Gia Lai provincial authorities give flags and nets to fishermen

On August 27, the Steering Committee for implementing anti-IUU, fisheries development policy and marine economic development of Gia Lai province held a meeting to promote solutions to combat IUU fishing.

According to the provincial Department of Agriculture and Environment, as of August 25, all 5,827 fishing vessels with a length of 6m or more have been registered and fully updated to the national fisheries database system (VNFishbase); 100% of fishing vessels have been reviewed and updated with information data; 986 "3 no" fishing vessels have completed registration according to the instructions of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment , only 9 vessels have not been registered due to not meeting inspection conditions.

The work of monitoring, controlling and preventing fishing vessels from illegally exploiting seafood continues to be strengthened. There have been 3,151 fishing vessels with a length of 15m or more (reaching a rate of 99.03%) and 193/209 fishing vessels with a length of 12m to under 15m operating in the southern provinces for squid fishing (squid fishing) have been mobilized and supported to install voyage monitoring equipment (VMS).

To manage, exploit and use information from the voyage monitoring system, the province has issued many directive documents; implemented decentralization of the use of the fishing vessel monitoring system to monitor, supervise and coordinate the handling of violations according to regulations; directed the assignment of 24/7 shore communication stations to receive, monitor, detect and promptly handle cases of fishing vessels exceeding the permitted boundaries, not maintaining operations or intentionally disabling voyage monitoring equipment during operations at sea.

Along with that, the work of tracing the origin of seafood exploitation is carried out seriously, ensuring the correct procedures; no certified shipments are returned. The authorities have increased patrols, control and strictly handled fishing vessels violating illegal fishing in foreign waters, fishing vessels violating VMS connection loss, and exceeding the permitted fishing boundaries at sea.

In his concluding remarks, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Pham Anh Tuan requested relevant agencies and units to thoroughly address existing shortcomings and limitations in the fight against IUU, to be completed by September 15 at the latest. To prepare well for the 5th EC Inspection Delegation, the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee requested relevant agencies to focus on strictly managing the fleet. For 31 fishing vessels with a length of 15 m or more that have not installed or transferred the name of the journey monitoring device, by September 15, the classification, installation and transfer of names must be completed in accordance with regulations.

In cases where equipment is not guaranteed, deliberately evades or delays, the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee directs the border guards to resolutely seize, seal on the spot, even pull it ashore, remove fishing gear and take strict measures; ensure that 100% of fishing vessels over 15 m must install and maintain VMS connection.

For the 466 fishing vessels that are currently not eligible to participate in fishing, by September 10, the Department of Agriculture and Environment must coordinate with local authorities to compile detailed statistics and propagate and mobilize ship owners to register according to regulations. In cases where they are not eligible, it is necessary to propagate and support policies to disband them; resolutely dismantle and eliminate non-compliant vessels and hand them over to the border guards for strict management.

Mr. Pham Anh Tuan also proposed to launch a province-wide campaign to combat IUU, mobilizing the synchronous participation of the entire political system, to raise awareness and responsibility of fishermen, contributing to the whole country to soon remove the EC's "yellow card" warning in 2025.

Minh Trang

Source: https://baochinhphu.vn/gia-lai-tap-trung-xu-ly-dut-diem-nhung-ton-tai-trong-chong-khai-thac-iuu-102250827173645913.htm