Ha Tinh resolutely implements solutions to combat IUU fishing

On the morning of December 2, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha chaired the 24th meeting of the National Steering Committee on Combating Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing. The meeting was attended by leaders of central ministries and branches.

Ha Tinh bridge is operated by Vice Chairman of Provincial People's Committee Ho Huy Thanh and leaders of Department of Agriculture and Environment.

Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Ho Huy Thanh and leaders of the Department of Agriculture and Environment operate the Ha Tinh bridge.

At the meeting, leaders of ministries, branches and localities reported on the progress of implementing tasks to combat IUU fishing according to the conclusions of Government leaders at the 23rd meeting (November 25) and previous sessions.

As of November 29, ministries, branches and localities have completed 101 tasks assigned by the Prime Minister.

Regarding fleet management, up to now, the total number of fishing vessels currently registered and updated on Vnfishbase by localities is 79,243/79,243 (reaching 100%). For fishing vessels that do not meet operating conditions, control will be conducted, and the communes/wards, forces, and officers will be assigned to manage the anchorage locations.

Delegates attending the conference.

During the reporting week, no fishing vessels violating foreign waters were arrested. The Ministry of Public Security brought to trial 2 cases/3 defendants for the crimes of "Organizing illegal exit and entry for others" and "Obstruction or disruption of the operation of computer networks, telecommunications networks, and electronic devices".

From the beginning of 2024 to November 29, 2025, the total number of ships detected as losing connection for 6 hours, losing connection for more than 10 days at sea, or exceeding the permitted exploitation boundary is 21,870; as a result, 21,870/21,870 ships have been handled (100%), of which 4,037/21,870 ships (18.46%) were fined, and 17,833/21,870 ships (81.54%) were closed without fine.

As of November 25, Ha Tinh had 3,972 fishing vessels registered and updated to the National Fisheries Database; during the reporting period, 4 fishing vessels decreased due to deregistration.

The province currently has 3,958/3,972 fishing vessels qualified for seafood exploitation. The rate of fishing vessels operating in offshore fisheries that have installed VMS equipment is 100%. During the reporting period, Ha Tinh had no cases of exceeding the permitted sea boundary, no fishing vessels or fishermen violating illegal seafood exploitation in foreign waters; no cases of brokering or collusion for fishing vessels to illegally exploit in foreign waters have been detected.

Regarding handling administrative violations, from the beginning of 2025 to now, Ha Tinh authorities have detected and handled 39 fishing vessels violating regulations on aquatic exploitation, imposing fines of more than 1 billion VND. From January 1, 2024 to now, Ha Tinh has completed investigations, verifications, and records of 41 subjects/39 fishing vessels that lost VMS connection, detected 23 cases of violations of VMS regulations, issued decisions to handle administrative violations in 23 cases, and fined 747.5 million VND.

At the meeting, representatives of ministries, branches and localities clarified the remaining limitations in the work of combating IUU fishing, such as the situation of fishing vessels losing connection to VMS, the rate of handling VMS violations in some provinces is not commensurate with the number of detected cases; there is a need for more specific policies to support fishermen in changing jobs and ensuring their livelihoods. Along with that, the units also proposed and recommended that the Government consider implementing more solutions to improve the effectiveness of preventing and combating IUU fishing in the coming time.

Concluding the meeting, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha requested ministries, branches and localities to continue to resolutely implement solutions to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing from now until December 15. determined to remove the "Yellow Card" of the European Commission (EC) for Vietnam's fisheries sector in 2025. The functional forces will strengthen coordination, control more closely, determined to repel, prevent and end IUU fishing; establish comprehensive inspection teams on IUU prevention in localities; and prepare well the related documents to serve the inspection work of the EC working group.

Urgently complete plans and implementation solutions to resolve problems with the US Department of Commerce (DOC) related to the US Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) in accordance with the Prime Minister's direction.

Clearly assign responsibilities to leaders in handling disconnected vessels and violating vessels. The Minister of Agriculture and Environment is responsible to the Government and the Prime Minister for the results of combating IUU fishing and removing the EC's "Yellow Card" for Vietnam's fisheries; continue to promote propaganda, mobilization, and education for people to strictly comply with legal regulations. Focus on building programs to convert people's careers and livelihoods associated with conservation, aquaculture, exploitation, and sustainable use of aquatic resources.

Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Ho Huy Thanh gave a speech after the conference.

Receiving the direction of the Deputy Prime Minister, at the Ha Tinh bridge point, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Ho Huy Thanh requested departments, branches and localities to receive and continue to seriously implement key tasks according to the direction of the Government; focus on leadership, direction, and mobilization of resources to synchronously implement solutions, thoroughly overcome shortcomings and limitations in the work of combating IUU fishing.

At the same time, strengthen the dissemination of laws to fishermen on exploitation and protection of aquatic resources. The authorities continue to focus on patrolling and controlling fishing vessels at sea, inlets, flats, and fishing ports; resolutely not allowing fishing vessels without adequate procedures, documents, and equipment to operate, and strictly handle violations according to regulations. At the same time, strengthen resources and equipment to carry out patrol and surveillance work at sea; continue to build and advise on programs to convert people's careers and livelihoods associated with conservation, aquaculture, exploitation, and sustainable use of aquatic resources in the locality.

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