Lam Dong province is resolutely implementing the Prime Minister's directive on combating IUU (Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated) fishing.

The People's Committee of Lam Dong province has just issued a document directing the implementation of Prime Minister's Official Dispatch No. 03/CD-TTg dated January 13, 2026, on continuing to focus on combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

Provincial Border Guard officers inspect and monitor activities as fishing boats prepare to depart. Photo: Huu Phuc

Following the directives of the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, heads of departments and agencies; Secretaries and Chairmen of People's Committees of communes, wards, and the Phu Quy Special Economic Zone with fishing vessels must thoroughly understand and effectively implement the assigned tasks, linking the responsibility of the head of each agency to the results achieved.

Lam Dong province is determined to "declare war" on IUU fishing, mobilizing maximum resources and time to quickly remove the European Commission's "Yellow Card" warning.

The Department of Agriculture and Environment is tasked with conducting a comprehensive review of the results of combating IUU (Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated) fishing in the province; promptly addressing shortcomings as required by the Central Inter-agency Inspection Team, and reporting to the Provincial People's Committee before January 23, 2026. Simultaneously, it must effectively manage and operate the vessel tracking system (VMS) and resolutely prevent fishing vessels from crossing boundaries to illegally fish in foreign waters.

In addition, the province requested the acceleration of the issuance and renewal of fishing licenses for eligible fishing vessels; the effective implementation of the electronic seafood traceability system (eCDT) and electronic logbook (e-logbook); and strict inspection of seafood shipments exported to the EU market.

The Department of Agriculture and Environment is also tasked with developing a sustainable aquaculture development plan for the period 2026-2030, to be submitted to the Provincial People's Committee for approval before January 25, 2026.

The Provincial Military Command and the Provincial Border Guard Command directed their forces to strengthen surveillance of fishing vessels at high risk of violating foreign waters; strictly control fishing vessels entering and leaving ports; coordinate patrols and inspections at fishing ports and wharves; and resolutely handle cases of violations of regulations against IUU fishing.

The provincial police continue to investigate and prosecute individuals acting as intermediaries in facilitating illegal fishing by fishing vessels and fishermen in foreign waters; they are also coordinating efforts to review the issuance of certificates and confirmations for exported seafood raw materials, and strictly handling violations.

Departments and agencies such as Science and Technology, Justice, Provincial Inspectorate, Finance, Construction, Foreign Affairs, etc., have been assigned specific tasks to standardize fisheries data, improve fishing port infrastructure, allocate funds to combat IUU fishing, and ensure synchronization and uniformity in management.

The Provincial People's Committee requires the Secretaries and Chairmen of the People's Committees of communes, wards, and the Phu Quy Special Economic Zone with fishing vessels to take direct and comprehensive responsibility for combating IUU fishing in their areas. Local authorities must strictly manage fishing vessels that do not meet operating requirements, severely punish cases of VMS disconnection and crossing fishing boundaries; and prevent the emergence of fishing vessels violating foreign waters.

The Department of Agriculture and Environment - the Standing Agency of the Provincial Steering Committee for Combating IUU Fishing - is tasked with monitoring, urging, and compiling the results of implementation, and advising the Provincial People's Committee to report to the Prime Minister and the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment as prescribed.

Source: https://baolamdong.vn/lam-dong-quyet-liet-trien-khai-cong-dien-cua-thu-tuong-ve-chong-iuu-419269.html