Nguyen Van Cuong, deputy inspector general of the government, signed a notice on the inspection findings concerning Ca Mau's People's Committee and its responsibility for combating illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUU).
The inspectors sent information to the Ministry of Public Security for review, investigation and action on two issues: four documents whose content was insufficiently supported and contrary to regulations, and 5,107 cases in which vessel monitoring system signals were lost and not reported as required for fewer than 10 days but were not verified or handled.
Risk of leaving violations unaddressed
The inspection found that one of the four documents had been issued by Ca Mau's People's Committee and the other three by the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, now the Department of Agriculture and Environment.
Agencies under that department did not summon vessel owners or their legal representatives when monitoring equipment lost its connection for between 6 hours and 10 days and then reconnected, in order to verify possible violations.
As a result, 5,107 cases involving VMS disconnections that were not reported as required for fewer than 10 days were not checked, verified or handled. The time limit for administrative penalties had expired.
This created a risk that violations would go unaddressed and that administrative fines estimated at more than VND127 billion would not be collected for the state budget.
The inspectors said the conduct showed signs of the offense of irresponsibility causing serious consequences under Article 360 of the Penal Code.
Responsibility was assigned to Ca Mau's People's Committee, the provincial IUU steering committee, the Department of Agriculture and Environment, the Department of Justice, and related organizations and individuals.
The provincial People's Committee and the Department of Agriculture and Environment have since issued documents replacing or repealing those found contrary to regulations.
Review of 1,690 cases closed without sufficient grounds
The Government Inspectorate recommended that Ca Mau's People's Committee clarify the nature and degree of responsibility for the violations and take action under the law.
It also recommended implementing directions from the government, prime minister, National IUU Steering Committee and Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, and issuing the documents needed for unified provincial management after the administrative merger.
The authorities were told to review and sign coordination rules with all forces responsible for patrolling and controlling the provincial waters, clearly assigning responsibilities, tasks, deadlines, authority and results.
The inspectors specifically recommended reviewing outstanding administrative penalty decisions and 1,690 cases closed without proper or sufficient grounds.
The provincial People's Committee chairperson ordered inspections and action over IUU violations. The authorities must identify causes, responsibility and consequences, consider each group's and individual's responsibility, and report the results to the Government Inspectorate.
Sources: Thanh Niên
