Taking advantage of the fishermen
Just arriving at the port after the first sea trip of the year, Mr. Do Kim Nung (57 years old) - Chairman of the Quang Phu Ward Fisheries Union (Da Nang City) - was busy with a familiar job: going to each fishermen's house, each boat owner to send invitations, mobilizing to participate in a conference to disseminate laws on combating illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
As the owner of a boat fishing near the shore, Mr. Nung understands the psychology of fishermen better than anyone. "Many people are used to going to sea, and used to mainly follow experience. When new regulations on IUU and journey monitoring devices are applied, many people are confused and even afraid, Mr. Nung shared.
According to Mr. Nung, last year, there was a case in the area where a ship owner was fined for arbitrarily disconnecting the journey monitoring device. "The fine was imposed, the more important thing is the overall impact on the industry's efforts to remove the "yellow card". Therefore, the union must persistently mobilize and remind people not to repeat the offense," he said.
Not only stopping at propaganda, Mr. Nung and the union's executive board also directly support fishermen in completing registration, inspection, and applying for a certificate of management of fishing vessels. "There are elderly people, and sometimes paperwork is lacking, if the union helps, it will help people feel secure going to sea in accordance with the law," said Mr. Nung.
The practice of "going to every alley, knocking on every door" is also maintained in Nui Thanh commune - the locality with the largest number of fishing vessels in Da Nang city. Although 67 years old, Mr. Huynh The Dieu - Chairman of the Tam Quang Fisheries Union, Nui Thanh commune - is still regularly present at fishing ports and anchorage ports to grasp the situation of union members.
The fishing union has become a mainstay for Da Nang fishermen to go offshore and remove the yellow card for seafood. Photo: Hoang Bin
Tam Quang Trade Union currently has 210 fishing vessels with 360 union members, maintaining 6 union groups, mainly large-capacity vessels from 700CV to 1,000CV operating offshore. I miss almost every boat owner and know their names, said Mr. Dieu.
According to Mr. Dieu, the marine industry has many potential risks, from weather, labor accidents to fishing disputes. "Thanks to the union standing up to protect the rights, provide legal support, and encourage the spirit, fishermen feel more secure at sea. The local annual output is more than 17,000 tons, he said.
Following the law to remove the yellow card for seafood
After the merger, Da Nang has a coastline of more than 155km, a fishing area of over 55,000km2, with 4,125 fishing vessels in operation. This is both an advantage for marine economic development and a very high requirement for fisheries management, especially in the context of the EC continuously tightening anti-IUU criteria.
Mr. Vo Van Long - Head of the Da Nang Department of Fisheries and Sea Affairs - affirmed: "Among the EC's recommendations, the top important criterion is not to let fishing vessels violate foreign waters. From 2022 to now, Da Nang has not had any fishing vessels violating the law, this is a very remarkable result.
According to Mr. Long, the contribution of the Fisheries Unions is very clear. Union chairmen and heads of production solidarity groups at sea are the extended arm of the functional sector. They understand the fishermen, speak so that the fishermen listen and follow, Mr. Long assessed.
To maintain this result, the Da Nang Department of Fisheries and Seafood regularly monitors the journey monitoring system, updates warnings from the Fisheries Information Center (Ministry of Agriculture and Environment), Border Guard, and Coast Guard. When detecting fishing vessels operating near the border of foreign waters, the authorities immediately contact and remind the vessel owner to adjust the fishing direction.
Mr. Tran Thanh Tin - owner of the QNa 91027 ship (Nui Thanh commune) - said that complying with regulations is not only to avoid being fined but also to make the sea trip safer and more efficient. For the squid fishing trip before Tet, my boat exploited 40 tons of dried squid, selling it for more than 6 billion VND. After deducting expenses, each crew member earns more than 80 million VND, Mr. Tin shared.
According to Mr. Tin, if IUU is violated, not only the ship owner but all crew members will suffer. "Therefore, we now remind each other to keep the journey monitoring device always running, and keep a complete fishing log," he said.
Coast Guard creates "soft power" in fisheries
In parallel with the efforts of fishermen and trade unions, the Vietnam Coast Guard is playing a core role in maintaining legal discipline at sea.
In the fierce peak emulation against IUU fishing in the spirit of the recent Prime Minister's Official Dispatch No. 122/CD-TTg, Coast Guard Ship 4038 (Coast Guard Region 2 Command) became a bright spot in the key Southwest sea area. During more than 28 days and nights, the ship mobilized more than 1,200 nautical miles, organized 13 patrols, inspected, and monitored 322 fishing vessels through the VMS journey monitoring system.
Captain Do Minh Dung - fishing boat CM-91998-TS - shared: "Previously, many people were still vague about IUU. Thanks to the Coast Guard's dedicated propaganda, we understand that violations will not only be heavily fined, but also affect the national reputation and seafood exports".
Not only patrolling and controlling, the Coast Guard force also promotes legal propaganda. CSB 4038 alone organized 13 direct and electronic communication campaigns for fishing, approaching 91 fishing vessels with 656 crew members, distributing nearly 200 leaflets, and presenting 65 national flags.
Captain Hoang Trong Anh - Captain of CSB 4038 ship - affirmed: "Each patrol, each propaganda session is not only to handle violations, but also to preserve national prestige. When fishermen understand and voluntarily comply, that is sustainable success".
According to many fishermen, the regular presence of the Coast Guard has created confidence and spiritual support. Mr. Nguyen Kim Trong - crew member of the CM-97856-TS ship - said: "If the "yellow card" is extended, the seafood caught can be sold at a low price. Therefore, complying with the law is for your own life and that of your children and grandchildren in the future.
From propaganda sessions, patrols, controls, awareness of law compliance at fish farms is gradually changing. Many fishermen not only comply but also proactively provide information about ships with signs of violations.
The fight to remove the IUU "yellow card" is therefore no longer the exclusive task of the fisheries sector or the authorities, but becomes a common responsibility of the entire political system and the fishing community. When the union stands side by side, fishermen are united and the Coast Guard is steadfast at the forefront of the wave, the goal of removing the "yellow card" is not only an expectation, but is gradually becoming a reality.
According to the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Da Nang, the whole city currently has 4,125 fishing vessels that have been fully updated in the national fisheries database. Of which, 1,192/1,193 fishing vessels with a length of 15m or more have installed and operated voyage monitoring equipment.
The city also reviewed and made a list of 86 fishing vessels that were not qualified to go to sea, assigning the People's Committees of communes and wards to assign officers to monitor each vessel, ensuring that "no" vessels in violation were "not" lost.
Vice Chairman of the Da Nang People's Committee Tran Nam Hung emphasized: "Developing the fishery must be fundamental, sustainable, and not problematic. The city is determined to thoroughly handle IUU violations, not allowing fishing vessels to violate foreign waters.
