Promoting the effectiveness of fishing vessel cruise monitoring equipment

In recent times, the installation of fishing vessel cruise monitoring equipment has helped functional agencies in Bac Lieu province promptly detect, prevent, and strictly handle vehicles that intentionally violate foreign waters for illegal seafood exploitation. The functional sector and coastal localities of Bac Lieu have actively deployed the installation and effective use of fishing vessel cruise monitoring equipment.

The Government's Decree 26 detailing some articles and measures to implement the Law on Fisheries clearly states the roadmap for installing cruise monitoring equipment for fishing vessels with a maximum length of 15 m to less than 24 m. This is considered one of the solutions to quickly remove the "yellow card" of the European Commission (EC) for Vietnam's fisheries industry in general and contribute to the sustainable development of fishermen's fishing in the province in particular.

Mr. Nguyen Minh Dang, Deputy Director of the Management Board of Fishing Ports and Storm Shelters for Fishing Vessels in Bac Lieu province, said: Regarding fleet management and monitoring, inspection, and control of fishing vessel activities, the entire Bac Lieu province has issued seafood exploitation licenses for 745/815 vessels, reaching 91.41%. Of these, 100% of fishing vessels with a length of 15 m or more have been granted a seafood exploitation license, installed with cruise monitoring equipment, and have had full documents and equipment according to regulations.

The cruise monitoring device has wide coverage throughout the East Sea and the Gulf of Thailand, has the ability to send logs and electronic reports, receive information about storms and tropical depressions, and has an emergency button when the vessel runs into trouble.

During the monitoring and supervision process at the center, if a vehicle is detected sailing near waters bordering countries, communication systems will be used to call the captain or notify the vehicle owner to promptly drive the vehicle back. Any vessel that intentionally violates the law will be handled by the functional force based on this data. During the stormy season, cruise monitoring equipment can also support notification and search and rescue at sea.