Need to upgrade fishing ports to meet the requirements of combating IUU fishing
Fishing ports must ensure the capacity to unload goods, maintain environmental hygiene, and prevent and fight fires, which are mandatory requirements of the European Commission (EC) in the fight against IUU fishing (illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing). However, most of the fishing ports in Quang Ngai have been invested in for a long time, and are deteriorating, making it difficult for fishing vessels to enter and exit the port. The Department of Agriculture of Quang Ngai province is repairing and upgrading fishing ports to meet EC requirements.
According to the reporter's records, Tinh Ky fishing port has been upgraded and repaired for nearly a month. The cage area for fishing vessels to buy and sell, classify aquatic products, unload goods and get fuel to sea is being urgently completed. Tinh Ky fishing port is one of five fishing ports in Quang Ngai designated by the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment as a type 2 fishing port for fishing vessels over 15m to sell products and confirm the origin of exploited aquatic products.
Since the beginning of the year, this fishing port has received about 4,000 ships entering and leaving, selling more than 10,000 tons of seafood. However, the port has been invested in for a long time, so many items have deteriorated.
Mr. Huynh Van Anh, the owner of an seafood purchasing business at Tinh Ky port, said: "Tinh Ky port is very small, and every time a car enters the port to buy seafood, it is very inconvenient. Businesses and fishermen all hope that the State will expand ports to meet practical needs, while promoting the development of fishing logistics in the locality".
Fishing vessels increase but fishing port infrastructure is slow to innovate
According to the plan, the fishing port system and storm shelters are oriented to 2030, Quang Ngai province is planned to invest in 8 fishing port and fishing wharf projects. To date, the province has deployed and put into use 5 fishing ports, including: Tinh Ky, Sa Huynh, Tinh Hoa, My A and Ly Son boat anchorage port, with a capacity of about 3,400 fishing boats. However, by the end of June 2025, the whole province had over 4,900 fishing vessels, not including the number of vessels from neighboring provinces taking shelter from the storm and selling seafood.
Fisherman Le Van Tien - owner of fishing boat QNg-92210 TS - shared: "The number of large fishing boats is increasing, but the fishing port in Quang Ngai is too crowded. Every time a storm comes to the fishing port, it is very inconvenient because it is cramped.
Gradually overcoming the EC's recommendations on fishing port infrastructure, the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Quang Ngai province has directed relevant units to strengthen repair and regular dredging of waterways at anchorages for ships and My A fishing port; maintain and repair Tinh Ky fishing port; upgrade and expand the storm shelter area combined with Tinh Hoa fishing port; build breakwaters, sand blockers and dredge waterways at Sa Huynh fishing port.
Mr. Nguyen Dinh Trung - Director of the Quang Ngai Provincial Fishing Port Management Board - said: "To gradually form and meet the standards of a type 2 fishing port, the province has directed a survey of the entire infrastructure system and included it in the annual repair plan. Some investment ports have long needed to be maintained, expanded and supplemented. The Management Board has also advised the Department of Agriculture and Environment to make plans and budget estimates to request investment in regular maintenance, ensuring compliance with EC requirements".
