In order to raise the sense of responsibility of fishermen and businesses in implementing legal regulations on combating illegal fishing, helping state agencies manage the fleet and landing output of each locality, recently the electronic traceability system for exploited seafood (eCDT VN) has been actively deployed, bringing good results.
The system is a specialized software running on an app platform on smartphones and a website on computers connected to the network to support the management of traceability of aquatic products exploited from fishing vessels, creating favorable conditions for fishermen and businesses, contributing to improving exploitation efficiency.
The Department of Fisheries said that this is the first software built on the basis of a new approach to state management in the field of fisheries exploitation to suit the trend of international integration and the requirements of transparency in the origin of aquatic products set by the export market.
According to research, up to now, the country has issued accounts to 5 participants in the system related to the seafood exploitation - processing - export chain: All fishing vessels nationwide (80,646 accounts), 28 fisheries departments of coastal provinces and cities with 147 accounts; 172 border guard station accounts along 28 coastal provinces and cities and 117 seafood processing and export enterprises.
Several provinces have also simultaneously implemented the system, with leading provinces in implementation results such as Binh Dinh, Binh Thuan, Ca Mau, Da Nang, and Khanh Hoa.
The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of the provinces has directed its affiliated units to organize guidance and training for fishermen to use the software. Arrange human resources and equipment at fishing ports to support fishermen in entering and leaving ports using the software.
Coordinate with other relevant forces such as border guards and local authorities to guide and disseminate to ship owners and captains; Promote digital transformation and improve the efficiency of control, monitoring output and traceability of aquatic products from exploitation, ensuring publicity and transparency; overcome shortcomings and limitations in traceability according to the recommendations of the European Commission (EC).
The implementation of the “Electronic Seafood Traceability System” is an important step in the effort to remove the European Commission's (EC) "Yellow Card" warning and improve the effectiveness of fisheries management.
However, the implementation process still faces some difficulties and limitations such as slow and asynchronous system implementation; The newly deployed software initially causes confusion and difficulties for fishermen when they first approach the application and operate on the phone...
To effectively deploy the System, throughout the chain and synchronously nationwide, the Department of Fisheries said it is necessary to supplement legal mechanisms, provide synchronous direction in localities, upgrade information technology infrastructure at fishing ports and system features, strengthen training and communication, as well as have strict measures to handle organizations and individuals who do not comply with regulations.
At the same time, it is necessary to further promote the organization and implementation of the application of the eCDT VN system, ensuring the synchronous and widespread participation of relevant subjects; Strengthen training and synchronous guidance activities in all localities so that fishermen can access and become familiar with using the software; Strengthen communication activities on mass media.
The eCDT system helps fishermen to conveniently complete departure/arrival procedures quickly. To use the system, users need to install the system by accessing CH Play for smartphones using the Android operating system or Appstore for iPhones using the IOS operating system.
