Since July 1, all Vietnamese fishing ports, including those in the southern province of Bà Ria-Vung Tàu, have adopted the eCDT application to control the entry and exit of vessels and monitor the production of seafood.
The eCDT application installed on smartphones to declare the origin of fish products.
The initiative aims to enhance transparency in product traceability and combat illegal fishing. Since March, the Cat Lo fishing port, located in the city of Vung Tàu, has been using the eCDT electronic traceability application. To date, all fishing boat owners and captains have installed it, enabling the validation of seafood production landed at the port and ensuring the origin of products intended for export, purchased by companies through the port.
« Reporting our catches at sea has become much easier. When we catch between 50 and 100 kg of fish, we record them directly at sea. So, once at the port, there’s no need to make a declaration as before, it’s much more convenient, » says Trân Van An, a deep-sea fishing boat owner.
Hùynh Van Minh, a fishing boat owner from Phuoc Hai in Dât Do district, explains that the eCDT application now replaces the traditional logbook used by fishermen. At first, they were somewhat puzzled by its use, but with guidance from fishing agents, coast guards, and local authorities, they quickly learned to use it and make their declarations independently.
« This application makes reporting really easy. It’s very simple to install. When fishing in deep sea, we just need to avoid prohibited areas and enter the catch information into the application. It’s important to report correctly, otherwise we risk fines, and this app helps us do that, » he noted.
The eCDT is also very useful for authorities in managing the entry and exit of vessels, as emphasized by Nguyên Van Hô, Deputy Director of the Fishing Port Management Office of Bà Ria-Vung Tàu Province. « Transitioning from traditional fishing, passed down from generation to generation, to responsible fishing that adheres to international laws and standards was not easy for fishermen at first. But we are making gradual progress, and our ultimate goal is to have the yellow card imposed on Vietnam by the European Commission lifted, » he noted.
The implementation of electronic logbooks and traceability systems is essential to ensure the transparency of catches and to achieve the lifting of the « yellow card » imposed by the European Commission. With the support of the authorities, the fishermen of Bà Ria-Vung Tàu are now rigorously applying these measures during their sea outings.
Source: LeCourrier
