Bình Định cracks down on IUU fishing

A journey monitoring device installed on a fisherman's boat. VNA/VNS Photo

BÌNH ĐỊNH The Border Guard Command and relevant authorities in the south-central coastal province of Bình Định on August 12 finalised measures to address illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing ahead of the fifth inspection by the European Commission.

At their meeting, participants reached consensus on measures to handle fishing vessels that operate illegally in foreign waters or disconnect their vessel monitoring systems (VMS). They agreed that it is necessary to step up communication efforts, patrols, and enforcement to detect and prevent such disconnections.

Their discussions also covered strategies for investigating and handling cases involving the illegal organisation and facilitation of fishing activities in foreign waters.

According to a resolution issued on June 12 this year by the council of justices of the Supreme People's Court, as of August 1, violators of regulations on fishing, trading, and transport of aquatic products could face up to 20 years in prison.

Bình Định reported that its 14 fishing vessels with 81 crew members operating in foreign waters had been detained and penalised from the beginning of 2023 to June 2024. As of July 20, 10 with 52 crew members were captured by foreign authorities. The province logged 328 vessels that lost connection with their monitoring systems, most of them operating in southern provinces and not returning to their home port.

Since early 2023, the provincial border guard has imposed administrative fines totalling VNĐ425 million (US$17,000) on 17 violating vessels. In mid-June 2024, the provincial People's Committee handed over fines of VNĐ900 million each on five boat owners for their violations of fishing regulations. VNS