Since the European Commission imposed the “yellow card” on the Vietnamese fishery sector, the Mekong Delta province of Soc Trang has set up a steering committee and inspection groups based at fishing ports to help fishmen better understand IUU prevention regulations.
The province has regularly inspected legal documents and necessary equipment of fishing vessels before allowing them to go offshore and dock at Tran De fishing port.
Like Soc Trang, many other provinces such as Bac Lieu, Tra Vinh and Ca Mau have also rolled out measures to enhance local fishermen’s awareness of sustainable offshore fishing.
Ca Mau’s authorities even refused to issue new fishing licences to vessels repeating their violations and not allowed their captains and owners to enjoy fishery support policies from the State.
In reality, active and prompt efforts to remove the EC “yellow card” on the Vietnamese fishery sector also aim to protect the lives of fishermen at sea and look towards developing a sustainable fishery sector./.
