Minister Conducts Inspection of Measures to Prevent IUU Fishing in Ba Ria-Vung Tau
Minister Le Minh Hoan led a delegation from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) to the southern region of Ba Ria-Vung Tau on April 8th. Their primary objective was to meticulously assess the effectiveness of policies designed to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing practices.
Engaging in a crucial dialogue with the provincial People’s Committee, Minister Hoan made it clear that a robust strategy against IUU fishing was imperative, particularly in the run-up to May 2024. He emphasized the importance of thoroughly reviewing recommendations from the European Commission (EC) to enhance the sustainability of the fisheries sector.
With a firm commitment to safeguarding Vietnamese aquatic resources, Minister Hoan stressed the urgency of intensifying communication efforts to raise public awareness and accountability.
Chairman Nguyen Van Tho of the provincial People’s Committee reaffirmed Ba Ria-Vung Tau’s steadfast dedication to developing and implementing innovative solutions to combat IUU fishing. United in purpose, they pledged to collaborate closely with the nation to ensure the removal of the EC’s yellow card in the forthcoming evaluation.
Vice Chairman Nguyen Cong Vinh provided statistics, revealing that as of March, offshore fishing vessels comprised 60.9% of the local fleet, with an impressive 96.82% equipped with advanced vessel monitoring systems for enhanced oversight. Additionally, 96.09% of the local fleet held offshore fishing licenses.
Over time, local authorities diligently monitored seafood operations in ports, uncovering 55 instances of fishing regulation violations. Notably, Ba Ria-Vung Tau has maintained an impeccable record since August of the previous year, with no reported incidents of vessels trespassing into foreign waters.
Before delving into administrative matters, Minister Hoan embarked on a journey through local fishing communities, seafood processing facilities, and bustling fishing ports along the shores of Vung Tau city.
