Investments

The Vice Premier: We Must Address the Issue of Fishing Vessels Losing VMS Connection

Vice Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang emphasized that to remove the IUU "yellow card" from Vietnam, relevant authorities and localities must address the issue of fishing vessels losing connection with the vessel monitoring system.

Administrator

7 August, 2024

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang gives directions. (Photo: Vu Sinh/VNA)

At a working session with the Fisheries Monitoring Center under the Directorate of Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, on August 7, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang emphasized that there is not much time left before the European Commission (EC) delegation visits Vietnam. To remove the “yellow card” on illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, relevant authorities and localities must resolve the issue of fishing vessels losing connection with the vessel monitoring system (VMS).

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang also pointed out that a “red card” would result in Vietnam losing its export market, not only in the EU but also in other markets, damaging the country’s reputation.

The Deputy Prime Minister requested that, until the EC delegation arrives in Vietnam, efforts must be made to detect and effectively handle and penalize vessels that lose connection with the VMS as soon as possible.

He assigned the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to take the lead in coordinating with relevant ministries, sectors, and units to address technical issues, provide technical guidance to localities, and collaborate with the Ministry of National Defense to exchange data on connection loss and violations.

The Ministry of Information and Communications was instructed to ensure that units and enterprises do not interrupt satellite signals for fishing vessels until the EC makes its final decision after the upcoming inspection. They should also coordinate with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to address technical matters.

The Ministry of Public Security was asked to issue documents directing the public security forces of provinces and cities to handle connection loss issues in accordance with Resolution 04/2024/NQ-HĐTP of the Council of Judges of the Supreme People’s Court, which provides guidance on the application of several provisions of the Penal Code regarding the criminal prosecution of acts related to illegal fishing, buying, and transporting of aquatic products, including the failure to equip, fully equip, or operate communication and VMS devices.

The Ministry of National Defense was requested to direct the border guard force to tightly control the departure and arrival of fishing vessels…

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang gives directions. (Photo: Vu Sinh/VNA)

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang required that these efforts be carried out effectively and not just for formality’s sake. Before the EC delegation arrives in Vietnam, the Government will send working groups to inspect the anti-IUU fishing work.

At the working session, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Minh Hoan also considered this a special task, as there are less than three months left until the EC delegation’s visit. He emphasized that the EC’s concern is about Vietnam’s fisheries governance and how it is managed in the age of technology.

According to Tran Dinh Luan, Director of the Directorate of Fisheries, 98.43% of fishing vessels have installed VMS devices. Localities also have photographs and information on the positions of vessels that have not yet installed VMS.

From the beginning of the year to July 31, many vessels lost connection with VMS in localities such as Quang Ngai, Ba Ria-Vung Tau, Kien Giang, Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, and Binh Thuan. However, the handling of violations has been slow. The primary response to connection loss has been warnings and reminders, with limited fines. Many localities have been slow to update the system after imposing penalties…

Bich Hong