The fight against IUU fishing must be continuous and not be relaxed

On March 25th, the working delegation from the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, led by Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien, met with the Kien Giang Provincial Party Committee to discuss the results of implementing measures to combat IUU fishing. The delegation also prepared for the upcoming visit and work with the 5th EC Inspection Delegation in Kien Giang province. The meeting was attended by Lam Minh Thanh, Permanent Deputy Secretary of the Kien Giang Provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the Kien Giang Provincial People's Council.

Mr. Le Huu Toan, Director of the Kien Giang Department of Agriculture and Environment, reported that as of March 15th, Kien Giang province had 10,033 registered fishing vessels, an increase of 27 vessels compared to the end of 2024. Of these, 7,973 vessels had valid fishing licenses, accounting for 79.5% of the total registered vessels. Among the 3,620 vessels measuring over 15 meters in length, 3,587 vessels (99.1%) had installed VMS systems. The remaining 33 vessels, which have not yet installed VMS, are mainly idle vessels or those awaiting sale, and they are being closely monitored and managed by local authorities.

In particular, Kien Giang has effectively handled the "3-no" fishing vessels in the province, which refers to vessels that do not have proper registration, fishing licenses, or VMS.

The relevant authorities in Kien Giang province have carried out extensive inspections and monitoring of 13,230 fishing vessel movements in and out of ports, ensuring that the unloading of goods at fishing ports and piers, both within and outside the province, is closely supervised. This effort has accounted for a total output of 319,347 tons of seafood. Additionally, the authorities have issued 152 certificates of origin for aquatic products to 24 businesses, and 271 certificates of origin for exports to the European market for 3 exporters, covering a total of 2,398 tons of seafood products. Furthermore, a total of 2,707 accounts have been issued for accessing the electronic traceability system for seafood (eCDT), helping to ensure transparency and compliance.

Mr. Lam Minh Thanh, Permanent Deputy Secretary of the Kien Giang Provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the Kien Giang Provincial People's Council, emphasized the need for the provincial IUU Steering Committee to develop a detailed action plan that addresses the issues and shortcomings highlighted by the delegation. He stressed the importance of focusing on improving the legal framework, increasing public awareness campaigns to shift local people's understanding of the issue, and enhancing coordination between different functional units. These steps are necessary to improve the management and effectiveness of fisheries exploitation and to ensure that Kien Giang's fishing industry remains sustainable and fully compliant with international regulations.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Phung Duc Tien, who is also the Deputy Head of the National Steering Committee for IUU, emphasized that after seven years of implementing measures to combat IUU fishing, the awareness among fishermen has significantly improved. The effectiveness of state management and law enforcement regarding IUU fishing has also progressed. In addition to public outreach and efforts to encourage fishermen to comply with maritime laws, the implementation of administrative penalties, along with taking criminal action against serious violations, has been essential in enhancing the deterrence effect.

Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien further assessed that while the number of fishing vessels violating IUU regulations has significantly decreased, the problem has not been completely eradicated. Given that Kien Giang has a large fishing fleet, it is crucial for the province to intensify the management and supervision of its vessels, especially those considered to have a higher risk of engaging in IUU fishing activities. When violations are detected, it is necessary to handle them swiftly and firmly, ensuring that the measures are thorough and final.