Significant progress has been made in changing fishermen's perceptions of IUU (Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated fishing).

From direct outreach on board vessels to fishermen proactively maintaining vessel tracking devices before each trip, awareness and actions in preventing and combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing in many coastal areas have shown significant progress.

Early in the mornings at the Linh Huynh Border Guard Station, Linh Huynh Border Guard Post ( An Giang province), the sight of border guards directly inspecting vessel tracking devices (VMS) and re-instructing crews on seemingly simple procedures that are often overlooked during long voyages at sea has become a familiar scene.

Officers from Linh Huynh Border Guard Station patrol and monitor the sea and guide fishermen in complying with regulations against IUU (Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated) fishing. (Photo: An Giang Newspaper and Radio - Television)

Hon Dat commune (An Giang province) currently has nearly 300 fishing vessels. In the context of the nationwide crackdown on IUU (Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated) fishing, the pressure on the local border guard force is considerable. According to An Giang Newspaper and Radio & Television, quoting Major Phan Tan Phat, Deputy Political Officer of Linh Huynh Border Guard Station, the unit conducts 3 to 8 visits to vessels each month, inspecting equipment and reminding fishermen of common violations. On shore, border guard officers divide the awareness campaigns into smaller groups and visit households to talk and explain things to the fishermen, making it easier for them to understand.

This hands-on approach has brought about a significant change in the awareness of fishermen. Mr. Vo Ngoc Thu, residing in Vam Bien hamlet, said that previously he only thought that fishing during the right season was enough, without paying much attention to maritime boundaries or maintaining the VMS tracking signal. "When the officers came down to the boat and showed me each button to turn on the equipment, I understood that compliance wasn't just for show, but to protect myself and my crew. Since then, my boat has always maintained a stable VMS signal," Mr. Thu said.

For fishermen like Mr. Tran Huu Thanh, residing in Linh Huynh hamlet, who frequently spend long periods at sea, direct onboard communication is even more effective. "I rarely listen to an entire large-scale public awareness session. The officers came directly to the boat and explained each point clearly, so I immediately understood the permitted fishing areas and when I needed to turn on the VMS equipment," Mr. Thanh said.

According to Lieutenant Colonel Bui Khac Duong, Commander of Linh Huynh Border Guard Station, the process of persuading fishermen to change their habits is not easy. Fishermen spend long days at sea, and their ability to absorb information varies; conveying too much information at once makes it difficult to remember, but failing to explain clearly can easily lead to confusion about new regulations. Therefore, the unit proactively breaks down the content into smaller parts, compiles materials suitable for each target group, and organizes regular training to improve the communication skills of its officers, ensuring that legal information is concise, easy to understand, easy to remember, and easy to implement.

The approach of mobilizing the community "to the right people at the right time" has yielded clear results. From January 1st to November 30th, 2025, Hon Dat commune no longer has any cases of IUU fishing; 98% of vessels maintain VMS (Vehicle Monitoring System) on as required. Notably, many vessels that were previously frequently warned now proactively contact authorities to check their signals before each trip out to sea.

According to Nguyen Huu Ngoc, Deputy Head of the Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Department of the An Giang Provincial Party Committee, the Linh Huynh Border Guard Station has done a good job in mass mobilization by "saying what the people need to hear, at the right time when they need to hear it." When fishermen understand and voluntarily comply, management becomes easier and more effective. This is a highly practical model of "skillful mass mobilization," contributing to the goal of lifting the IUU "yellow card" and protecting the sustainable livelihoods of fishermen.

Not only in An Giang, but also at the Song Doc estuary ( Ca Mau province) - one of the largest estuaries in the Mekong Delta - the dissemination of laws on fisheries exploitation is regularly and systematically implemented. At the Song Doc Border Guard Control Station, officers and soldiers combine direct dissemination of information on ships, distributing leaflets and providing specific guidance to each vessel owner, captain, and engineer.

As a result, the number of fishing vessels losing their tracking signals or crossing maritime boundaries has decreased significantly year by year, reflecting a positive shift in the fishermen's compliance awareness. According to Ma Minh Tam, Secretary of the Party Committee of Song Doc commune, the locality has identified combating IUU fishing as a key task, assigning responsibility to each official and each fishing vessel. "Complying with regulations is not only to lift the IUU yellow card, but also a responsibility to protect aquatic resources and ensure long-term livelihoods for the fishing community," he emphasized, as quoted by the Vietnam News Agency (TTXVN).

Using awareness-raising campaigns as a foundation, Song Doc commune, in coordination with border guards and fisheries inspectors, reviewed the list of high-risk vessels to promptly remind and monitor them. As a result, the number of violations decreased significantly, and the fishermen's compliance with regulations became increasingly evident.

Experience in Hon Dat, Song Doc, and many other coastal areas shows that when fishermen understand and voluntarily implement regulations, each fishing trip not only contributes to accelerating the process of removing the IUU "yellow card," but more importantly, protects marine resources and creates a foundation for the sustainable development of the seafood industry.

Source: https://thoidai.com.vn/chuyen-bien-ro-ret-trong-viec-thay-doi-nhan-thuc-cua-ngu-dan-ve-iuu-218425.html