Fishermen "lying on shore" hope for social security policy

In the journey to quickly remove the IUU “yellow card”, many fishermen in the Southeast region of the province are forced to “stay ashore” involuntarily. But with the province’s recent policy of social security and livelihood support for fishermen to stabilize their lives during the process of changing jobs, they are happy. However, there are still many worries ahead…

Boats anchored at La Gi Fishing Port

Agree on solutions to remove the IUU "yellow card"

After nearly 8 years of implementing the 2017 Fisheries Law and implementing many solutions to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, Lam Dong province has achieved some positive results. Up to now, the province has completed 17/19 tasks assigned by the Government to localities on combating IUU fishing. In particular, the key content is to strictly control fishing vessels that do not meet operating conditions, not allowing them to leave port for fishing; develop policies to support the dismantling of fishing vessels, stabilize the lives and change jobs for fishermen.

As of mid-November 2025, the total number of registered fishing vessels in the province was 8,222, of which 7,470 were licensed to operate. However, the number of fishing vessels with expired licenses that do not meet the requirements for compliance with regulations is still 752. The province has implemented strict management and control measures, not allowing them to leave port for exploitation... This is considered a resolute solution by the authorities to remove the "yellow card" as soon as possible. For ship owners and fishermen who are forced to "stay ashore", people expressed their consensus and compliance with regulations.

Mr. Tran Trong, a ship owner, is "staying ashore" due to not meeting the operating conditions.

For example, in Phan Thiet ward, one of the coastal localities of the province, there are about 60 fishing boats with expired fishing licenses. Mr. Tran Trong, from residential group 26 - Phan Thiet ward, is one of many boat owners who are "lying on the shore" because they do not meet the conditions for exploitation. Present at a cramped level four house in a small alley, only a few dozen meters from the boat anchorage on the Ca Ty river, Mr. Trong sat down on the porch, opening the papers and books related to the fishing boat BTh - 862784 TS with a capacity of 60 CV, the "rice bowl" of the whole family. Mr. Trong shared that this boat was originally registered to operate trawl nets in the open sea, but more than a year ago, I switched to fishing because the income from trawling was low. After only a few trips of fishing, the government banned the operation due to not meeting the conditions, so I had to stop for more than a month now.

Mr. Vo Tien, who lives in the same residential group 26, owner of fishing boat LD 85073TS with a capacity of 210 CV, is also in a similar situation. Due to not meeting the conditions for fishing due to illegal activities, his boat has been forced to anchor in the Ca Ty River for more than a month now. This means that the boat owner and his "boatmates" have lost income, affecting their lives. However, Mr. Tien and many other fishermen said that they still strictly follow the province's policies and regulations on combating IUU fishing. Along with that, they hope to have the companionship and support of social security policies to soon stabilize their lives.

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Although I know the difficulties are compounded due to lack of income from the fishing industry, I still comply with regulations and agree with the State's determination in combating IUU fishing.

Mr. Tran Trong - residential group 26 - Phan Thiet ward

Practical support policies for fishermen

Obviously, the ban on unqualified fishing vessels from continuing to operate has caused many vessel owners to lose their livelihoods and face many difficulties in life. This has directly affected social security, potentially causing sensitive and complicated issues, creating hot spots for security and social order and safety in coastal localities. Therefore, timely support policies for vessel owners who have lost their livelihoods during the time of changing jobs and stabilizing the lives of fishermen are very necessary. In addition, it also creates consensus in implementing the task of preventing and combating IUU fishing.

In mid-November 2025, the Provincial People's Council issued Resolution No. 52/2025/NQ-HDND, stipulating policies to support the stabilization of livelihoods for households with fishing vessels that are not qualified to participate in fisheries exploitation in the province. These are fishing vessels that do not meet one or several conditions for registration, licensing of fisheries exploitation or fishing activities that are not in accordance with the profession stated in the fisheries exploitation license. With about 500 vessels in this category, it is expected that the provincial budget will allocate 4.5 billion VND to implement this policy.

Authorities put up signs on fishing boats that are not qualified to operate in Phan Ri Cua commune.

The subjects of application are fishing vessel owners registered as permanent residents in the province and confirmed by the People's Committee at the commune level, whose fishing vessels do not meet the conditions to participate in aquatic exploitation...

In principle, this policy only considers support for households that are owners of fishing vessels registered in Lam Dong province but have to stop operations due to not meeting the conditions for fishing according to the law. Fishing vessel owners who are eligible for support must strictly comply with the law on preventing and combating IUU...

The province's support activities to help stabilize the lives of families with fishing vessels that are not qualified to participate in aquatic exploitation must be associated with state management. However, for boat owners like Mr. Trong and Mr. Tien, they are currently facing concerns about their long-term livelihoods. They are people who have been involved in the sea for decades, so having their boats "on shore" waiting to be sold, downloaded or processed for conversion is difficult for their livelihood. When they go ashore, they do not know what career to switch to when they are old and have limited qualifications. As a result, the livelihoods of their fellow boat owners who have been with them for many years are also extremely difficult...

Fishing vessel owners who stop fishing activities and meet the prescribed conditions will be supported with 3 million VND/household/month. The support period is 3 months, calculated from the date the fishing vessel stops fishing activities according to the decision of the competent authority.

Source: https://baolamdong.vn/ngu-dan-nam-bo-ky-vong-voi-chinh-sach-an-sinh-404357.html