To help fishermen avoid the IUU "yellow card"

HNN - Various sectors and levels of government in the city are resolutely implementing a comprehensive range of solutions to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

Border guards always stand side-by-side with fishermen.

In addition to organizing patrols and monitoring fishing activities in fishing grounds, relevant agencies and forces are also strengthening coordination in disseminating information and raising awareness among fishermen in combating IUU fishing…

Practical

The program "Lighting Up the Sea with Fishermen," implemented by the Ho Chi Minh City Law Newspaper in coordination with relevant departments and agencies of Hue City in early August, has contributed to raising fishermen's awareness of combating illegal fishing in order to have the IUU "yellow card" lifted. In addition to donating 50 gift packages to fishermen, each worth nearly 5 million VND and including a handbook "Things to Know About Fishing," a battery pack, a battery and LED light combo, and a first-aid kit, the program also organized a seminar on solutions to lift the IUU yellow card, titled "Responding to Fishermen," allowing fishermen to directly dialogue with the authorities on pressing, practical, and effective issues.

Mr. Ngo Duc Dong, owner of an offshore fishing vessel in Thuan An ward, said: “Thanks to the information and explanations, we fishermen understand that when going out to sea to catch seafood, we must proactively turn on the vessel tracking device and not violate fishing regulations in foreign waters. Turning on the vessel tracking device will help authorities record the fishing journey, both managing the vessel and verifying the origin of the harvested seafood.”

According to Mr. Nguyen Mong, a fishing boat owner in Vinh Loc commune, the program has organized many activities to educate fishermen about and apply the law in legal fishing, contributing to the removal of the IUU yellow card, promoting the development of fishermen's lives and sustainable marine economic development.

Mr. Le Minh Cuong, General Secretary of the Editorial Board of the Ho Chi Minh City Law Newspaper, believes that one of the current great expectations of fishermen and seafood businesses is for Vietnam to soon have the IUU "yellow card" lifted. If successful, the value of seafood exports could increase by 30% to 50%, opening up great opportunities in the international market and improving the income of fishermen. Therefore, in 2025, in addition to legal communication activities on combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, we aim to support fishermen in developing a sustainable marine economy according to the Government's plan for the development of marine aquaculture until 2030, with a vision to 2045.

Strengthening propaganda efforts

Along with coordinating efforts to educate and raise public awareness about law compliance, the Border Guard Force (BGF) also focuses on strengthening patrol, control, and law enforcement activities at sea, preventing fishing vessels from violating regulations in foreign waters. Accordingly, BGFs along the coast have implemented many comprehensive and decisive solutions, assigning departments to regularly monitor and closely track the situation at sea; and strictly implementing measures to combat IUU (Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated) fishing. In the first eight months of 2025 alone, through inspections at border guard checkpoints and patrols at sea, units have educated thousands of crew members of fishing vessels; distributed nearly 2,000 leaflets and national flags. Simultaneously, in coordination with relevant agencies, functional forces, and local authorities, they organized the signing of commitments not to engage in illegal fishing in foreign waters by 100% of captains of fishing vessels 15 meters or longer.

Mr. Nguyen Van Chien, a fishing boat owner in Thuan An ward, shared: “We regularly receive information from the Border Guard on legal matters related to registration, licensing for fisheries exploitation, installation and operation of vessel tracking devices, marking of fishing boats, and recording and submitting fishing logs as required. At the same time, they always show concern, support, and create favorable conditions for fishermen to fish effectively.”

Lieutenant Colonel Tran Cong Lanh, Commander of Thuan An Port Border Guard Station, said: “To overcome the limitations and shortcomings in the fight against IUU fishing, the unit has simultaneously implemented many measures, in which propaganda and mobilization are identified as both immediate and long-term tasks. The unit regularly assigns tasks to the community mobilization team and border guard station party members to go door-to-door, knocking on every boat to persuade captains to commit to not violating IUU regulations.”

In reality, through intensified propaganda efforts, along with regular patrols, inspections, and strict penalties for IUU fishing, fishermen's awareness of combating IUU fishing has been steadily improving.

Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment, Nguyen Dinh Duc, affirmed that, based on directives from the Central Government and the City People's Committee, and closely monitoring the local situation, city authorities have issued numerous plans and organized campaigns to educate and mobilize fishermen against IUU (Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated) fishing with diverse forms and content. Localities have also implemented many effective and noteworthy models, such as the "Skilled Public Mobilization" model, which has educated and mobilized fishermen to avoid violating foreign waters and engaging in illegal fishing. This model has been widely implemented following the motto "going door-to-door," combined with guiding fishermen to complete all necessary procedures when working at sea.

According to Mr. Nguyen Dinh Duc, although there have been no fishing vessels violating foreign waters in the city in recent years, the risk remains. Therefore, the industry identifies the task of combating IUU fishing as a top priority, both urgent and ongoing, making a significant contribution to the country's efforts to lift the IUU "yellow card" and develop the fisheries sector effectively and sustainably.

Text and photos: Ba Tri

Source: https://huengaynay.vn/kinh-te/de-ngu-dan-tranh-the-vang-iuu-157095.html