|
Just a few centimetres are creating kilometres of problems for the tuna fleet and canning plants
Skipjack Tuna Exploitation Regulations: Fishermen Await Revisions
VIET NAM
Wednesday, October 02, 2024, 00:10 (GMT + 9)
Many fishermen, particularly those in Binh Dinh, are currently keeping their boats docked, waiting for the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) to adjust the current regulation that mandates a minimum allowable size of 50 cm for skipjack tuna exploitation, according to local news media TuoiTre Online.
This regulation, which came into effect on May 19, under Decree No. 37/2024/ND-CP, has sparked concern among the fishing community.
On September 18, the Binh Dinh Department of Agriculture and Rural Development officially requested MARD to reconsider and revise this regulation. Prior to this, in mid-June 2024, the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) also highlighted the shortcomings of the 50 cm minimum size rule.
Fishermen, especially those in Binh Dinh, no longer know what to do with the measuring tape and its regulation.
Impact on Fishermen: Boats Remain Ashore
Captain Dang Sang, who owns the fishing vessel PY 96173TS, explained that finding skipjack tuna over 50 cm in size is rare, and enforcing the regulation has become a financial burden. "Previously, one trip could yield 10-20 tons of fish, but those over 50 cm only account for a fraction, with a weight of 2-3 quintals," he said, adding that it leads to financial losses.
Nguyen Van Trien, Director of Tan Phat Canned Food JSC, echoed similar concerns. "The majority of skipjack tuna are around 20 cm, so this rule has led to a shortage of fish for our export markets, particularly the U.S. and the Middle East."
Economic and Employment Fallout
 Nguyen Huu Nghia, Head of Binh Dinh's Fisheries Department, revealed that the regulation has caused many fishing boats to remain inactive, resulting in job losses. With 6,242 registered fishing vessels, Binh Dinh’s skipjack tuna catch reaches over 55,000 tons annually, but only 10-15% of this consists of fish exceeding 50 cm.
Furthermore, the shortage of raw materials is hurting seafood processing businesses. "Without sufficient fish meeting the size standards, we cannot issue the necessary certificates, which halts production and leads to market shrinkage," Nghia explained.
Industry-Wide Concerns
Le Tan Ban, Vice President of the Vietnam Fisheries Association, stated that the regulation has left fishermen struggling, as the smaller skipjack tuna they previously sold to canned food processors are now off-limits. Businesses are equally impacted by the lack of raw materials.
Similarly, Vu Dinh Dap, Chairman of the Vietnam Tuna Association, pointed out that no other country imposes size restrictions like Vietnam does. "Globally, fisheries regulations limit the total catch per vessel rather than setting size quotas for specific species," he emphasized.
Awaiting Revisions
The fishing community continues to advocate for regulatory changes that take into account the realities of skipjack tuna fishing in Vietnam. Until then, the industry faces challenges that could worsen if the regulations remain unchanged, affecting not only fishermen but also the broader seafood export market.
Related news:
[email protected]
www.seafood.media
|
Print
