Thanh Hóa, Quảng Trị step up efforts to combat IUU fishing

Fishermen in Thanh Hóa Province are informed about the Fisheries Law and IUU fishing regulations. — Photo vneconomy.vn

HÀ NỘI — The north-central province of Thanh Hóa has intensified inspections at sea and fishing ports while working with owners of vessels that violated regulations on illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing as part of its efforts to clamp down on the illicit fishing.

During the January-July period, local authorities handled 80 violation cases and levied a total fine of VNĐ967 million (over USD$38,300) on local fishermen and boat owners who committed illegal acts.

A list of 306 fishing vessels with high risks of violations was made public at fishing ports, while those without necessary documents and vessel monitoring systems were banned from docking at the fishing ports.

Throughout examinations, the authorities found out several common mistakes of ship owners, including expiring safe fishing vessel certificates, losing connection signals for over 10 days, and failing to buy insurance for crew members.

According to the deputy head of the provincial Department of fisheries Lê Văn Sáng, the province will continue enhancing the communications work to raise public awareness of IUU regulations and resolve to mete out strict punishments for any violations.

In the same vein, the central province of Quảng Trị has worked to handle hundreds of fishing boats from 6 to 15 metres in length having no registration, no fishing licenses, and no certificates proving their seaworthiness (three nos).

The provincial People’s Committee directed localities to tighten management over fishing vessels to ensure that there are no additional boats with “three-nos”. — VNS