Police in Ha Long have detected 12 unlicensed tourist vessels in Ha Long Bay this year, including seven squid fishing boats. Most boats were unregistered and needed to meet technical safety standards or environmental sanitation requirements.
A unlicensed squid fishing boat found on Ha Long Bay
A boat was recently found transporting six tourists to catch squid on Ha Long Bay. The unregistered boat did not have any lifebuoys on board.
Squid fishing boat operators often change their pick-up and drop-off locations along the coast from Tuan Chau and Hung Thang wards to the Cai Xa Cong area to avoid the patrols. They even arrange lookouts for quick notifications in case of police patrols.
Since the start of the year, the police have also detected and handled 30 boats illegally fishing in the core area of Ha Long Bay using prohibited fishing gear. Two cases have been prosecuted, and two individuals have been arrested for destroying aquatic resources.