Lam Dong tightens control over coastal fishing vessels
Currently, 100% of fishing vessels 15 metres in length or more operating in Lam Dong are equipped with VMS devices. However, instances of lost VMS connection at sea still occur. Between January and July, local coastal border guard stations conducted 563 communication sessions for 31,089 fishermen engaged in offshore fishing, focusing on groups and sectors with higher risks of fishing violations.
The local Thanh Hai Border Guard Station conducts patrol and inspection at Phu Hai port. (Photo: VNA)
Lam Dong (VNA) – The Border Guard Command of Lam Dong province – formed through the merger of the former Lam Dong, Dak Nong, and coastal Binh Thuan provinces as from July 1 – has freshly launched a peak campaign against illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
The operation began on August 18 and runs until the fifth inspection visit of the European Commission (EC) to Vietnam, expected in September.
According to the Border Guard Command, the final months coincide with the peak fishing season, which usually brings high income to fishermen, leading to an increase in offshore fishing activities. Meanwhile, complex weather conditions are posing challenges for patrol, inspection, and control operations at sea. Taking advantage of this situation, some vessel owners and captains are likely to commit fishing violations through sophisticated tactics such as using unqualified vessels, disabling vessel monitoring systems (VMS), or illegally fishing in foreign waters.
To ensure effective implementation of the campaign, the command has directed coastal communes, wards, and especially border guard stations along the coastline to intensify legal education and awareness-raising programmes among fishermen, vessel owners, and captains, stressing compliance with regulations as well as penalties imposed by Vietnam and foreign countries. The command also stressed boosting public responsibility in reporting violations and providing information related to IUU fishing activities.
Border guard units have been tasked with preventing unqualified vessels from operating, tightening management in key areas, and promptly detecting and strictly handling violations, particularly cases of illegally sending vessels and fishermen into foreign waters, intentionally disabling VMS devices, or crossing maritime boundaries.
The Thanh Hai Border Guard Station launches an intensive communication campaign at the port to raise fishermen’s awareness on combating IUU fishing. (Photo: VNA)
Currently, 100% of fishing vessels 15 metres in length or more operating in the province are equipped with VMS devices. However, instances of lost VMS connection at sea still occur. Between January and July, local coastal border guard stations conducted 563 communication sessions for 31,089 fishermen engaged in offshore fishing, focusing on groups and sectors with higher risks of fishing violations.
🌟 The EC issued a “yellow card” warning for Vietnam in this regard in 2017. The "yellow card" is followed by a "green card" if the problem is resolved or a "red card" if it is not. A “red card” may lead to a ban on aquatic exports to the EU./.
All service vessels and out-of-province fishing boats docking at fishing ports in Lam Dong province will undergo 100% inspection to ensure compliance with paperwork, port entry/exit procedures, and fishing log requirements. Their positions and voyages will be tracked around the clock from departure to return via the VMS.
All the 1,992 vessels measuring 15 metres or longer – those required to install tracking devices – have done so, reaching a 100% compliance rate, according to the provincial Department of Agriculture and Environment.
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The province will ensure that vessels which do not meet standards are prevented from going offshore. This initiative is part of urgent efforts by coastal localities to help Vietnam address the European Commission’s “yellow card” warning.
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