Khanh Hoa launches high-level competition, determined to remove IUU "yellow card"

On the morning of August 28, the People's Committee of Khanh Hoa province launched a high-level emulation campaign across the province to prevent and end violations of illegal fishing (IUU), aiming to remove the "yellow card" of the European Commission (EC).

Agencies and units of Khanh Hoa province signed a covenant and committed to compete in the fight against IUU fishing. Photo: HIEU GIANG

The competition will last until September 2, with the theme “Promoting the spirit of responsibility, solidarity, cooperation, and resolutely fighting and preventing IUU violations”. Key contents include: strengthening legal dissemination to fishermen; controlling 100% of fishing vessels entering and leaving ports; strictly handling violations, including criminal prosecution if there is sufficient evidence; absolutely not allowing local fishing vessels and fishermen to violate foreign waters.

Traders buy ocean tuna at Hon Ro fishing port, Nam Nha Trang ward, Khanh Hoa province. Photo: HIEU GIANG

Speaking at the ceremony, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Trinh Minh Hoang said that this emulation campaign took place in the context that the Central Government had many drastic instructions, requiring localities to focus highly to achieve substantial results, thoroughly prevent IUU fishing activities, and prepare working contents with the 5th EC Inspection Delegation.

To achieve the set goals, the People's Committee of Khanh Hoa province calls on all agencies, units, especially fishermen in the whole province to uphold the sense of responsibility, voluntarily comply with the law, carry out legal exploitation, be responsible for aquatic resources and sustainable development, resolutely not participate in or assist in IUU fishing...

Khanh Hoa province currently has the longest coastline in the country with about 490km (25 communes and wards have sea); there are 5,272 fishing vessels with a length of 6m or more, 100% of which are registered and have their data updated on the VNFishbase database system; 99.72% of fishing vessels have been licensed to exploit aquatic products; 99.54% of 1,514 fishing vessels with a length of 15m or more have installed fishing vessel monitoring equipment (VMS)...

Despite some positive results, Khanh Hoa still has many limitations, such as: 5 ships have not installed VMS, 98 ships have not been granted/renewed their fishing licenses, nearly 500 ships have expired technical safety inspections, 52 ships have not met food hygiene and safety standards... These shortcomings need to be resolved in the near future if we want to meet the EC's requirements for removing the yellow card.

HIEU GIANG

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/khanh-hoa-phat-dong-thi-dua-cao-diem-quyet-go-the-vang-iuu-post810573.html