Illustrative image (Source: http://baobariavungtau.com.vn)Ba Ria - Vung Tau (VNA) - Authoritiesof the southern province of Ba Ria -Vung Tau have revoked the operating licensesof 75 fishing ships for illegally fishing in foreign waters last year.
The provincial Department of Agriculture andRural Development said this is part of efforts to fight illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing inforeign waters, especially after the European Commission (EC) issued a “yellowcard” warning to the country’s fishery sector.
Local authorities are also consideringpermanently withdrawing licenses for 12 local fishing vessels that violatedregulations in the last five months.
According to the provincial Department of Agricultureand Rural Development Department, the causes of violations are due to local anglers’poor knowledge of the law and a lack of strong punishments.
This violation has caused serious economic losses for local fishermen andaffected diplomatic relations between Vietnam and other countries, as well as Vietnam’sprestige internationally.
The EC issued a "yellowcard" warning to Vietnam in September 2017 after the country failed todemonstrate sufficient progress in fighting IUU fishing.
On December 13, 2017, Prime Minister Nguyen XuanPhuc issued a directive on urgent tasks following the EC’s warning.
The whole political system, from the central tolocal level, and fishermen have taken actions to fight IUU fishing.
There have been an array of measures, includingsupplementing anti-IUU fishing regulations, enforcing issued regulations,disseminating solutions to fishermen and relevant parties and enhancingcooperation with coastal and island countries.-VNA
VNA
