Resolutely implement solutions to combat IUU fishing, resolutely prevent fishing vessels from violating foreign waters

(Haiphong.gov.vn) – On the morning of June 19, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development held a national online conference to deploy urgent measures to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, aiming to remove the “yellow card” of the European Commission (EC). Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien, Deputy Head of the National Steering Committee on IUU, chaired the conference.

Delegates attending the Conference at the Hai Phong city bridge.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment , after nearly 8 years of implementing solutions to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, Vietnam has basically overcome the contents recommended by the European Commission (EC).

The whole country has reviewed and grasped the number of fishing vessels and basically handled the situation of "3 no" fishing vessels. Localities have applied information technology in monitoring the volume of aquatic products unloaded through ports and implemented electronic traceability (eCDT), ensuring transparency and legality for goods exported to Europe. Law enforcement, criminal prosecution, and administrative sanctions have been vigorously implemented, contributing to creating a clear change in the awareness and actions of fishermen.

However, there are still some problems that need to be further overcome, such as: the situation of fishing vessels violating foreign waters has not been completely handled; the granting and extension of fishing licenses is still slow; the control of fishing logs is not uniform in some localities; the human resources for managing fishing ports are still limited, etc.

At the conference, delegates focused on discussing key and urgent solutions in the coming time, especially preventing and strictly handling fishing vessels violating illegal fishing in foreign waters; handling acts of disconnecting the voyage monitoring device (VMS), crossing the fishing boundary, violating regulations on logging and reporting output.

For Hai Phong city, the leadership and direction on fishing vessel management and combating IUU fishing have been implemented synchronously and regularly. To date, the city no longer has "03 no" fishing vessels; 100% of vessels have been registered, marked, and data updated on the Vnfishbase and VMS systems linked to VNeID population data. Fishing vessels with a length of 15m or more have all been equipped with voyage monitoring devices. The rate of vessels with valid inspections reached 98.4%, and the rate of vessels with valid fishing licenses reached 92.58% - both higher than the national average. The number of vessels losing connection to VMS has decreased sharply over the years, from 214 vessels (2024) to 79 vessels (2025), of which only 2 vessels lost connection for more than 10 days.

The inspection and supervision of aquatic product output at fishing ports are strictly implemented. Fishing vessels fishing in the wrong areas have significantly decreased. Localities have improved their organizations, established anti-IUU fishing teams; assigned specific responsibilities to each unit and commune-level People's Committee in managing fishing vessels; developed and implemented plans to prevent IUU. Fishermen's awareness has been increasingly raised, violations have significantly decreased; captains and ship owners have proactively kept logs, reported, and reported when entering and leaving ports according to regulations.

Speaking at the meeting, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Phung Duc Tien - Deputy Head of the National Steering Committee on IUU requested localities and functional agencies to continue to focus highly, mobilize maximum resources to drastically implement key solutions in the coming time.

The Deputy Minister emphasized: It is necessary to implement synchronous and effective measures to prevent and minimize the situation of fishing vessels violating foreign waters, strictly handle violations, and prevent recurrence. Review and strictly manage the entire fishing fleet, ensuring that 100% of fishing vessels are qualified for fishing operations such as: installing and maintaining connection to the voyage monitoring device (VMS), fully recording fishing logs, and turning on monitoring devices even when on shore.

The Deputy Minister also requested that the authorities strengthen control and confirm the origin of aquatic products at fishing ports; and that localities regularly report on the results of addressing the EC’s recommendations. At the same time, they must continue to step up law enforcement, organize patrols, inspections, and strict control, and resolutely prevent fishing vessels and fishermen from violating illegal fishing (IUU).

Source: https://haiphong.gov.vn/tin-tuc-su-kien/quyet-liet-thuc-hien-cac-giai-phap-chong-khai-thac-iuu-kien-quyet-ngan-chan-tau-ca-vi-pham-vung--759283