In continuation of the “Technological Solutions on Reducing Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing in Vietnam, towards sustainable fisheries management, 2019-2020” initiative within the framework of cooperation already supported by the General Department of Fisheries, the Center for Marinelife Conservation and Community Development (MCD) is in collaboration with Department of Agriculture and Rural Development alongside Binh Dinh Department of Fisheries to organize “Provincial Consultation Workshop on eCDT Concepts and Piloting Plan Development in Binh Dinh Tuna Fisheries Value Chain” on January 9, 2020 in Quy Nhon, Binh Dinh.

Mrs. Nguyen Thu Hue – Director of MCD

The workshop provided an opportunity for stakeholders at the provincial level to discuss concepts involving Electronic Catch Documentation and Traceability (eCDT) systems designed to reduce  IUU while providing a platform to develop an eCDT pilot plan for small scale tuna fishery in Binh Dinh province. In turn, national consultations toward finalising eCDT guidelines, based on experiences in deploying eCDT testing in Binh Dinh were provided. In addition, consultion and discussion of the main factors in the tuna value chain were provided while identifying the eCDT requirements of the parties involved in Binh Dinh Province.

The seminar was attended by more than 35 participants from the Department of Agriculture and Rural Developmet of Binh Dinh Province; Department of Fisheries; Aquatic Information Center; General Headquarter of Fisheries; Binh Dinh Department of Fisheries; Fishing Port in Binh Dinh province; Binh Thuan Department of Fisheries; companies purchasing and processing tuna, Tuna Association of Vietnam (Vinatuna), Binh Dinh Tuna Association, Binh Dinh Fisheries Association, ocean tuna ship owners; non-governmental organizations; a technology-consulting specialist in electronic journals and traceability; and local press agencies.

Mr. Dang Van Quang – Specialist of Aquatic Information Center, Department of Fisheries

At the seminar, representatives of the General Department of Fisheries have presented their overview of policies related to eCDT to reduce IUU and manage fishing. The representative of Binh Dinh Fisheries Department presented the current situation and some lessons from the province related to the fishing log and traceability procedures, especially ocean tuna. Important practical experiences in implementing electronic logging and traceability in coastal provinces in Vietnam have also been shared by eCDT experts in Vietnam.

All participants in workshop

It is expected that from this workshop an eCDT pilot plan will be deveoped for a number of vessels participating in the tuna value chain in Binh Dinh. This pilot will contribute to increasing the transparency in tuna products – from fishing to consumers – as well as suggestions to improve fisheries management policies.

More references from Dfish : https://www.fistenet.gov.vn/tin-tức/-tin-vắn/doc-tin/014199/2020-01-16/hoi-thao-tham-van-va-lap-ke-hoach-thi-diem-cong-nghe-nhat-ky-danh-bat-dien-tu-va-truy-xuat-nguon-goc-dien-tu-ecdt-trong-chuoi-gia-tri-ca-ngu-tai-tinh-binh-dinh