Illustrative image (Source: VNA)

Hanoi – The southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau will set up three inter-sectoral checkpoints at sea to supervise the operation of fishing vessels in an effort to fight illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

Under a decision recently issued by the provincial People’s Committee, the checkpoints, to be located at Sao Mai, Loc An and Binh Chau estuaries, will be allowed to stop all fishing boats traversing the estuaries for paper and equipment examinations.

The committee has also assigned the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to coordinate with competent forces to put forth specific plans on the operation of the checkpoints.

On March 6, it adopted another decision on the issuance of an action plan on the IUU combat, under which the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development was asked to coordinate with other departments and agencies to complete the review of all fishing boats by May 2023.

The registration of fishing boats, fishing licence granting and the installation of vessel monitoring systems (VMS) should have been done by that time, according to the document.

The decision also requested the update of the national fisheries database, as well as inspections and supervisions over fishing boats at border stations and seaports, and those operating at sea.

The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development said up to 2,631 fishing boats with a length of over 15m, or 95% of the total number, have been equipped with the VMS.

The central province of Quang Ngai has also launched a 180-day campaign against wrongdoings in the fishery sector, especially IUU fishing.

Border guards in the locality have established working groups to monitor the observation of fishing regulations at 10 stations.

Tran Vang, captain of fishing boat QNg 98729 TS in Pho Thanh ward, Duc Pho city, said he was fined 25 million VND (1,055 USD) and stripped of his captain license for four months due to the failure in maintaining the VMS.

Lieutenant Colonel Lam Van Vien, head of Sa Ky border station in Quang Ngai city, said forces have been working both on canoes and at checkpoints, and resolute actions have been taken against wrongdoings.

Quang Ngai is home to 38,000 fishermen and 4,544 fishing boats, of which 3,206 measuring 15m and above in length are operating offshore.

The province has completed the update of the national fisheries database and 77% of the fishing licensing work. More than 98% of the fishing boats have been equipped with the VMS.

Director of the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Ho Trong Phuong said in preparation for the 4th working session with the European Commission (EC)’s inspection team, his department will enhance coordination with other departments and agencies in the IUU combat.