Binh Thuan prevents fishing vessels from infringing on foreign waters
On May 7, the People’s Committee of Binh Thuan province in the south-central region issued a directive emphasizing the need for heightened vigilance to prevent any local fishing vessels and fishermen from trespassing into foreign waters, in a concerted effort to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
In an official communication to relevant agencies, the committee urged border guard, fisheries, and police authorities, as well as local administrations, to conduct thorough investigations, verification processes, and stringent enforcement actions against vessels not connected to the province’s vessel monitoring system (VMS). They were also instructed to closely monitor fishing activities using the VMS to ensure compliance with sea boundaries.
Furthermore, these units were mandated to rigorously adhere to regulations concerning vessel registration, licensing, and issuance of fishing permits, and to maintain updated records in the national fishing vessel database VNFishbase.
Simultaneously, fishermen and businesses received guidance on implementing electronic catch documentation and traceability (eCDT) protocols, as directed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.
With a fleet of over 7,800 fishing vessels and approximately 44,500 workers directly involved in fishing, Binh Thuan stands as one of the leading regions in Vietnam in terms of fishing capacity and seafood production.
The provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development reported positive outcomes in the fight against IUU fishing, attributing these achievements to the rigorous implementation of urgent measures and the concerted efforts of the entire political apparatus. Notably, since January 2023, no instances of fishing vessels violating relevant regulations have been detected.
