On October 30, a working delegation of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development led by Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien had a working session with Soc Trang province on the results of the implementation of the task of combating illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, removing the yellow card warning of the European Commission (EC), and the development of aquaculture in Soc Trang province.
Mr. Huynh Ngoc Nha - Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Soc Trang province said that the total number of fishing boats registered up to now in the province is 774. Of which, fishing boats with the longest length of 15m or more are 342, boats with length under 15m are 432.
To date, the province has granted valid fishing licenses to 560 fishing vessels that meet the licensing requirements. 342 fishing vessels with a maximum length of 15 meters or more have installed voyage monitoring devices. The organization has updated data on fishing vessels on registration, inspection, and fishing licenses of the province to the VNFishbase system of the Department of Fisheries in accordance with regulations, achieving 100% of the plan.
Since the beginning of 2023, no fishing boats from Soc Trang province have illegally exploited seafood in foreign waters.
According to Mr. Nha, despite drastic and synchronous implementation of solutions, up to now, 87 fishing vessels have lost VMS connection for more than 6 hours, 13 fishing vessels have lost VMS connection for more than 10 days, and 56 vessels have lost connection for many days. The fishing vessel monitoring team has verified information and consolidated records for handling according to regulations.
Speaking at the meeting, Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien highly appreciated the efforts of Soc Trang province in combating illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUU).
The leaders of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development requested that Soc Trang province in the coming time need to strengthen the management of the fleet, review the registration, inspection, and licensing of fishing vessels, especially high-risk fishing vessels. Effectively monitor fishing vessel activities through the VMS system, regulations on traceability of exploited aquatic products, and resolutely handle any violations of IUU fishing.
Soc Trang Provincial Party Secretary Lam Van Man requested that heads of Party committees, Party organizations, authorities at all levels, relevant provincial departments, branches and sectors directly lead, direct and take responsibility for preventing and combating IUU fishing, promptly detect early, from afar, and prevent from shore (fishing vessels and fishermen) intentional violations, especially illegal fishing in foreign waters.
