“Sprint” time to complete the indicators on combating IUU fishing

By the end of October 2025, localities and functional forces of Lam Dong province must overcome existing shortcomings and limitations, and complete the indicators on combating illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. Thereby, contributing to removing the IUU yellow card warning in the 5th inspection by the European Commission (EC) and promoting sustainable development of the fisheries sector.

Fisheries inspectors, in coordination with the Border Guard, are checking on ship owners regarding compliance with procedures related to IUU (Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated) fishing.

Resolving all outstanding issues related to IUU (Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated) fishing.

Along with the rest of the country, Lam Dong province is entering the "final stretch" of the peak month for combating IUU (Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated) fishing, as directed by the Prime Minister. This includes focusing maximum resources on definitively resolving the issue of fishing vessels violating regulations and losing connectivity. Simultaneously, the province is reviewing and compiling a list of damaged, abandoned, or inactive fishing vessels, or those sold out of the area, and this process must be completed by October 2025.

To achieve maximum effectiveness, Mr. Nguyen Van Chien, Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment and Deputy Head of the Provincial IUU Steering Committee, stated that in recent times, departments and agencies, especially the People's Committees of communes, wards, and areas with fishing vessels, along with the province's functional forces, have urgently taken action to combat IUU fishing. This includes focusing on handling cases of fishing vessels violating foreign waters and losing connection with vessel monitoring systems (VMS). Over the past few days, regardless of Saturdays and Sundays, day and night, coastal localities, with active support from fisheries inspectors, border guards, and police, have been decisively and urgently addressing the recommendations made by the EC. In particular, the provincial inter-agency task force has conducted inspections and assessments of the situation and responsibilities of localities with many fishing vessels that do not meet operating requirements and outstanding cases of fishing vessels losing VMS connection that have not yet been verified and processed.

In Phan Thiet ward, where 55 fishing vessels had expired fishing licenses, the ward People's Committee has verified and processed the cases. Ms. Le Thi Bich Hoai, owner of the fishing vessel BTh 98906 TS in Phan Thiet ward, said: "My vessel has been docked for many years and was sold off piece by piece. Now, my family has been directly guided by the local authorities on the procedures for canceling the vessel's registration."

According to the Department of Agriculture and Environment, as of October 27th, the province had 7,385 out of 8,298 fishing vessels with valid licenses, reaching 89%; the remaining 913 vessels had expired licenses. For vessels 12 meters or longer, 3,243 out of 3,919 vessels had valid registration, while 676 had expired licenses. The province is continuing to implement a concentrated effort to support and guide fishermen in completing the procedures for deregistering, inspecting, and issuing new fishing licenses for expired vessels, striving to complete this before October 30th, 2025.

Determined to "reach the finish line"

Mr. Do Huu Phuoc, Vice Chairman of the Phan Thiet Ward People's Committee, said that in recent times, the ward has continued to disseminate and promote laws on fisheries and the prevention and control of IUU fishing. However, the number of fishing vessels that have not re-registered their fishing licenses and have not renewed their inspection certificates remains high, due to some owners selling their vessels without transferring ownership or the owners not currently residing in the locality.

Furthermore, some fishermen have not cooperated in providing complete information, avoiding registration and inspection. Meanwhile, others have a resigned attitude, believing that their boats are docked ashore, inactive, and waiting to be sold, so they do not proceed with registration, licensing, and inspection.

Therefore, the local authorities are continuing to instruct the police to verify and locate ship owners who are not residing in the area and to work with ship owners who have sold their vessels but have not yet completed the transfer of ownership procedures.

Given the urgent need to combat IUU (Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated) fishing and the requirement to complete this by October 2025, at an impromptu working session on IUU with relevant departments, agencies, and coastal localities on October 28th, Standing Committee member of the Provincial Party Committee and Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Le Trong Yen stated that the province is currently developing its fisheries sector in a modern and sustainable direction, ensuring strict compliance with international and European Union regulations on combating illegal fishing. To achieve good results, he requested that departments, agencies, and localities focus on implementing comprehensive solutions for controlling, registering, and inspecting fishing vessels. Furthermore, he urged the development of policies to support the livelihoods of fishermen, especially those with vessels that do not meet the requirements for near-shore fishing, in accordance with the Prime Minister 's directives…

To proactively prepare for the 5th visit of the EC delegation to Vietnam (expected in November 2025), this is a crucial time to complete the targets for combating IUU (Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated) fishing. Therefore, the entire political system in the province needs to work together to combat IUU fishing. In particular, border guards and fisheries inspectors must strengthen strict control over fishing vessels, resolutely preventing unqualified vessels from going to sea. Local authorities should continue to promote awareness and guide fishermen to comply with regulations and avoid violating foreign waters.

Source: https://baolamdong.vn/thoi-diem-nuoc-rut-de-hoan-thanh-cac-chi-so-ve-chong-khai-thac-iuu-398843.html