Only 10% of production can be monitored
According to statistics from the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Quang Nam, on average, fishermen in the province exploit about 90 thousand tons of seafood of all kinds each year. However, most fishing boats have sold seafood spontaneously at traditional fishing ports, coastal beaches and have not been confirmed, certified, or traced the origin of seafood.
Mr. Nguyen Thanh Sang - owner of fishing boat QNa 90404 said: "Every time the boat returns, we often stop at the port to sell fish to private traders (brokers - PV). Because before going to sea, the broker advances money for the fishermen to make the trip, so when returning to shore, we have to sell seafood to that broker. It is also more convenient to unload raw materials for the next trip."
Currently, only 10% of seafood caught by Quang Nam fishermen is monitored and counted when arriving at Tam Quang fishing port (the only fishing port designated by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, after An Hoa fishing port closed). However, Tam Quang fishing port lacks purchasing facilities and fishing logistics services, causing many difficulties for fishermen.
By the end of September 2024, the seafood output of Quang Nam fishermen arriving at Tam Quang fishing port was monitored and recorded at 8,586 tons and the functional sector had only issued 10 certificates of seafood origin to seafood processing enterprises for export.
Struggling to solve the problem
Mr. Vu Duyen Hai - Head of the Fisheries Exploitation Division (Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development) said that the rate of monitored seafood output in Quang Nam is only 10%, which is too low. Meanwhile, the European Committee (EC) has set strict requirements on seafood traceability, to consider removing the "yellow card" for Vietnam.
Faced with these shortcomings, since April 2024, Quang Nam functional agencies including fishing port management, fisheries, and border guards have supported and guided fishermen to declare entry and exit at ports via the eCDT electronic system.
In addition, localities with fisheries in the province must conduct statistics and control seafood exploitation output at fishing ports.
However, up to now, no locality has reported the seafood output in the area to the Provincial Fisheries Branch, because private fishing facilities and ports have not reported.
According to Mr. Vo Van Long - Manager of Quang Nam Fisheries Branch, private fishing ports in the area do not report according to regulations because there are no sanctions.
“Statistics, control of seafood output and certification and confirmation of seafood origin are not only for the immediate goal of removing the “yellow card” for seafood, but more importantly, to develop sustainable and responsible fisheries.
However, the situation of fishermen not docking at designated ports to unload seafood but selling seafood through brokers and warehouses has not been statistically recorded, and the origin of seafood has not been traced, as required by the EC" - Mr. Long said.
