Party members mentor fishermen to lift the IUU 'yellow card'

Previously, Tan Thuy was a locality with many vessels violating IUU regulations, but over the past two years, the situation has improved significantly. Fishermen now comply well with the regulations, with fishing vessels operating in the correct zones and no longer violating foreign waters.

Mr. Le Van An, owner of three purse seine vessels operating in the Con Dao waters, shared, "My vessels only operate within the permitted sea areas. If the black box signal is lost for a few hours, we must report it immediately."

Ms. Nguyen Thi Mai, owner of six fishing vessels in An Loi hamlet, added, "My family employs five captains and has our vessels fully equipped. All trips are logged in fishing diaries, and positions are tracked via mobile phones. With regular communication from commune officials, our vessels operate efficiently and without violations. I am even planning to buy another pair of vessels."

According to statistics, Tan Thuy commune currently has nearly 1,500 fishing vessels, of which over 1,200 operate offshore, providing employment for about 12,000 workers. Many vessel owners said that after deducting expenses, each trip still yields a profit of VND 200–300 million, while crew members earn around VND 10 million per month.

Since 2022, the Party Committee of Tan Thuy commune has implemented a "skillful mass mobilization" model, assigning officials and party members to mentor fishermen in line with Directive 32 of the Party Central Committee’s Secretariat on strengthening leadership in combating IUU fishing as well as implementing local action plans.

Each official or party member is responsible for several high-risk vessel owners. Their role is not only to disseminate information but also to accompany and guide fishermen on vessel monitoring techniques, update them on new regulations, and remind them to keep fishing logs, present proper documentation, and ensure safety at sea.

Mr. Dang Van Hong, Secretary of An Loi Hamlet Party Cell, said, "Within the Party Cell, each member is assigned a few vessel owners, visiting them regularly, chatting over tea, and integrating dissemination on IUU regulations into conversations. Previously, some vessels in the hamlet were caught, but since implementing this model, that has no longer happened."

Mr. Tran The Vinh, a party member mentoring fisherman Tran Trung Hau, shared, "I visit once every 5–10 days to discuss business and vessel conditions with the locals. I talk and naturally incorporate guidance, rather than being rigid or formal."

According to Mr. Dang Hoang Tan, Standing Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of Tan Thuy Commune, around 50 officials and party members are currently participating in the model. "The Party Committee has developed a specialized resolution on preventing and combating IUU fishing, assigning party members to mentor high-risk vessel owners. We select party members who are dedicated, responsible, and knowledgeable about the law and policies to ensure more effective communication. Thanks to this approach, over the past two years, no vessels have violated foreign waters," Mr. Tan said.

In addition to the support from party members, the Border Guard, the Sub-Department of Fisheries, Fisheries Surveillance, Seas and Islands, and the Fishing Port Management Board have also strengthened inspections and monitoring to promptly prevent violations. Vessel owners strictly comply with regulations on installing monitoring devices, keeping fishing logs, and ensuring seafood traceability.

Thanks to the effectiveness of the "party members mentoring fishermen" model, Tan Thuy commune has become a bright spot in Vinh Long province's efforts to prevent and combat IUU fishing. The commune’s Party Committee affirmed that the locality will continue to maintain and expand the model, aiming for zero violations in foreign waters and contributing to the national effort to lift the EC's "yellow card."

"This is not only the responsibility but also the honor of fishermen in the Tan Thuy sea area," emphasized Mr. Dang Hoang Tan, Standing Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of Tan Thuy Commune.

* USD 1 = VND 26,123 (Source: Vietcombank)