Fishing boats dock at Ngoc Hai fishing port, Do Son ward, Hai Phong city.
After one year of implementing Directive No. 32-CT/TW of the Secretariat, the city has achieved many clear results, from strictly managing the fleet, strengthening journey monitoring, controlling the traceability of aquatic products, to protecting and sustainably developing marine resources. Along with the issuance of the Action Plan for the peak month against IUU fishing, Hai Phong is synchronously implementing drastic solutions, aiming to remove the "yellow card" of the European Commission with the whole country in 2025.
New "picture" in fisheries exploitation
At Ngoc Hai fishing port (Do Son ward, Hai Phong city), ship HP-00308 has just docked, ship owner Tran Van Thuy excitedly shared: "Going to sea now is completely different from before, every ship is equipped with journey monitoring equipment, has an electronic fishing log. Going out to sea or returning to port, there are inspection and guidance forces. Following the regulations will give you peace of mind and protect your profession."
Mr. Vu Van Son, owner of the QN-90701 ship, who has been involved in the fishing industry for more than 20 years, also affirmed: “We fishermen have been informed and given very specific instructions. Everyone understands that keeping the profession is keeping their livelihood, and complying with the fight against IUU fishing is the best way to prevent Vietnamese seafood from being banned from the European market.”
At the area controlling ships entering and leaving Ngoc Hai fishing port, Mr. Ta Vu, Head of the Professional Department of the Fishing Port and Wharf Management Board (Department of Agriculture and Environment of Hai Phong), who is also in charge of directing anti-IUU fishing activities at Ngoc Hai port, said: “Currently, 100% of fishing vessels entering and leaving the port are strictly inspected and monitored according to the correct procedures. Each vessel must present its fishing log, VMS journey data, and have its loading and unloading output confirmed via the eCDT electronic system. We also regularly coordinate with border guards and fisheries surveillance forces to promptly detect and handle cases with signs of violations. The goal is to both create favorable conditions for fishermen to do business legitimately and ensure that all fishing activities are transparent and legal.”
Authorities inspect the fight against illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing at Ngoc Hai fishing port, Do Son ward, Hai Phong city.
According to statistics from the Hai Phong City People's Committee, by September 2025, the city had 820 fishing vessels; of which, 100% had been registered, inspected and licensed for exploitation; all "three no" vessels (no registration, no inspection, no license) had been completely handled. The rate of vessels licensed for exploitation reached more than 95%, while 283 vessels with a length of 15 meters or more had installed a voyage monitoring device (VMS), ensuring 24/7 connectivity. The authorities strictly monitored and did not allow any vessel to leave port without meeting operating conditions.
From April 2024 to September 2025, the city controlled more than 21,700 fishing vessels entering and leaving the port, with more than 4,400 tons of seafood being monitored for loading and unloading through the port. All were compared with journey data, fishing logs and output reports. Notably, 100% of seafood products passing through the port were traceable, with no cases of vessels violating foreign waters.
Handling of administrative violations in fisheries exploitation is also seriously implemented. In the two years 2024-2025, the authorities discovered and sanctioned more than 300 violations, with a total fine of more than 4 billion VND, mainly acts of disconnecting VMS equipment, not recording fishing logs, or using unqualified vessels to go to sea.
Along with fleet management, Hai Phong has promoted the protection and development of aquatic resources. The city has established two marine conservation areas with a total area of over 35,000 hectares, including Bach Long Vi and Cat Ba - Long Chau marine conservation areas; along with five marine resource protection areas and three inland protection areas such as Da Do, Van Uc and Gia rivers. The agricultural sector has organized three seed release campaigns to restore resources, with a total of over 2.1 million seeds, including fish, shrimp, crabs and mollusks, contributing to the restoration of the natural ecosystem.
Not only stopping at exploitation, Hai Phong city also encourages the development of high-tech aquaculture, associated with tourism and environmental protection. Up to now, 10 facilities have converted to use modern HDPE plastic rafts, replacing old wooden materials; more than 80 fish cage farming facilities in Cat Ba Bay have been assigned farming locations according to planning. Some intensive farming models according to VietGAP standards, applying digital technology and automation in pond management, have helped increase productivity and ensure food safety.
Sustainable development of marine economy
Authorities inspect the fight against illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing at Ngoc Hai fishing port, Do Son ward, Hai Phong city.
Based on the results achieved, on October 27, 2025, the People's Committee of Hai Phong City issued an Action Plan for the peak month against IUU fishing, to concretize the Prime Minister's direction. The plan requires inventory, classification, completion of registration, inspection and re-issuance of fishing licenses for all qualified vessels before October 30, 2025, and at the same time, making a list, sealing and strictly managing unqualified fishing vessels. The authorities are assigned to regularly update data to the VNFishbase system, connecting with the VNeID population database, ensuring accurate retrieval of information on each vessel owner, anchorage location and fishing itinerary.
In addition, the city requires 100% of fishing vessels to be clearly marked and numbered, 100% of vessels entering and leaving the port must be controlled, patrols and inspections at sea must be increased, and violations must be strictly handled. Units with fishing vessels must report their progress weekly for the Department of Agriculture and Environment to synthesize and send to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment and the City People's Committee.
An important highlight of the plan is to promote digital transformation in fisheries management. Hai Phong has begun to synchronously deploy the electronic fishing log system and eCDT traceability software at all fishing ports. By mid-November 2025, all vessels 15m or longer must dock and leave ports via the eCDT system, and purchasing and processing facilities must update production data on the same electronic platform. This is an important step forward in building a transparent and modern fisheries industry, meeting the EC's requirement to remove the "yellow card".
Authorities inspect the fight against illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing at Ngoc Hai fishing port, Do Son ward, Hai Phong city.
Hai Phong City also recommended that the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment upgrade the software for monitoring fishing vessels, complete the electronic declaration system, and prioritize investment in dynamic fishing ports at the Hai Phong Major Fisheries Center and the Bach Long Vi storm shelter. In addition, there should be policies to support fishermen in changing jobs and replacing VMS equipment to maintain stable connections.
Propaganda is promoted to each fisherman and each boat owner. The grassroots political system, mass organizations and border guards participate in guiding and mobilizing fishermen to understand the meaning of legal exploitation. Violations are handled publicly and promptly to deter, educate, and create a strong change in community awareness.
With the determination of the entire political system and the consensus of fishermen, Hai Phong city is making an important contribution to the whole country in removing the IUU "yellow card", moving towards a green - clean - responsible and sustainably integrated seafood industry.
Source: https://baotintuc.vn/kinh-te/khac-phuc-the-vang-iuu-ngu-dan-tuan-thu-bao-ve-nghe-bien-va-thi-truong-xuat-khau-20251031063507301.htm
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