Declaring War on IUU

Lesson 2: Affirming the image of a blue sea nation, responsibility and integration

Photo caption — Anchovy fishing boat of fishermen in coastal areas of Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Hoang Nhi/VNA

Core of typical fishermen

From being the target of propaganda, many fishermen have now become the “extended arms” of the authorities in the fight against IUU fishing. These exemplary fishermen are contributing to spreading awareness of law compliance and maintaining the reputation of Vietnamese seafood.

With more than 40 years of experience in the fishing industry at sea, Mr. Vu Van Lang, a fisherman in Vung Tau ward, Ho Chi Minh City, currently has a powerful fleet of 19 boats over 15m long for offshore fishing. Mr. Lang said that he is regularly informed, reminded, and instructed by the authorities on combating IUU fishing. The regular and continuous information and reminders from the authorities have made him aware and gradually changed his behavior when preparing for fishing boats to leave port as well as go out to sea to fish. "Since then, I have always reminded captains to absolutely not fish in foreign waters and to fully declare information when entering and leaving port. Vessels only use legal fishing gear and are not allowed to use explosives or chemicals," Mr. Lang shared.

Having exploited overlapping waters, been discovered and detained by foreign countries, and had his vessels and crew members handled, Mr. Nguyen Minh Hung, an offshore fishing boat owner in Vung Tau ward, said that after that incident, his family was on the brink of bankruptcy because his assets were confiscated by foreign countries.

Sharing his regret, Mr. Hung said: “After the incident, I realized how great the damage was caused by IUU fishing. Not only did it affect the Vietnamese seafood industry, but my family’s economy also fell into dire straits.”

Now, every time he meets fellow fishermen and fishing boat owners in the area, Mr. Hung often reminds everyone to raise awareness about the EC's "yellow card" warning, about combating IUU fishing. "Every time I sit down to socialize or have morning coffee with my fellow fishermen, I often encourage them to strictly comply with the requirements of the authorities before the boat sets sail, and to be careful when fishing at sea, especially not to participate in fishing near overlapping areas, because if discovered, they will be arrested and lose all their property," Mr. Hung added.

Currently, programs such as: "Morning coffee with fishermen", "Breakfast with fishermen" have been regularly organized by authorities in Ho Chi Minh City to widely disseminate recommendations on combating IUU fishing to people. Ms. Bui Thi Kim Nhung, residing in Long Hai commune, shared that thanks to being regularly invited to attend the programs "Breakfast with fishermen", "Morning coffee with fishermen" has helped me change my awareness significantly. Her family has signed a commitment not to participate in fishing in foreign waters. Before going to sea to fish, complete the paperwork as required by the authorities.

Mr. Nguyen Minh Tam, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Long Hai Commune, Ho Chi Minh City, said that through the programs "Breakfast with fishermen" and "Morning coffee with fishermen", the Party and State's policies and laws on combating IUU fishing are updated and disseminated directly to fishermen. Thereby, the locality also promptly grasps the thoughts, aspirations, difficulties and problems that fishermen are facing in order to promptly resolve them.

Not only Ho Chi Minh City, in many other provinces such as An Giang province, many outstanding fishermen have become the core force accompanying the government and the Border Guard in preventing IUU fishing after participating in models such as "Safe Boat Team", "Solidarity Team at Sea". Along with regular patrols, checking records and fishing logs, each time carrying out exit and entry procedures, the Border Guard officers of An Giang province widely propagate so that people understand that fighting IUU is protecting their own lives.

Or in the southernmost province of the country - Ca Mau is also resolutely implementing solutions to combat IUU fishing. Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Le Van Su, Head of the Steering Committee for Combating IUU in Ca Mau province, requested all levels and sectors to focus highly, take drastic actions and have specific results every day, every task. The spirit of solidarity between the government and fishermen is increasingly evident, creating community strength in protecting aquatic resources and national prestige.

Resolute from action to technology application

Without waiting for the peak, the functional forces at sea regularly patrol, inspect and handle IUU violations. Along with digital transformation in fishing vessel management and traceability, Vietnam is making steady progress towards the goal of removing the “yellow card” in 2025.

In recent times, the Vietnam Coast Guard has maintained its forces and means on duty, resolutely and flexibly deployed measures and plans for patrolling, inspecting and controlling the sea areas, focusing on overlapping sea areas, sea areas bordering Vietnam - Thailand - Malaysia - Indonesia, historical waters of Vietnam - Cambodia; strictly inspected fishing vessels that lost connection to the signal of the voyage monitoring device (VMS), vessels that removed and received VMS devices, fishing vessels that crossed the border to operate in foreign waters...

Together with fishermen, localities, and functional forces, the management and supervision of fishing vessels at the central and local levels have had many positive changes thanks to the promotion of technology application and digital transformation. Currently, Vietnam has deployed the Electronic Seafood Traceability Software System (eCDT) to ensure transparency, no fraud, similarity and interconnectivity with other international electronic traceability systems such as the EU's CATCH, FAO's CDS...

According to the Department of Fisheries and Fisheries Surveillance, from the beginning of the year to October 2025, the number of ships leaving ports using the eCDT system increased by nearly 80%, the number of ships arriving at ports increased by 139%, the volume of aquatic products arriving at ports increased by 41%; the number of aquatic product raw material certificates (SC) increased by nearly 290% and certificates of origin of exploited aquatic products (CC) increased by 785% compared to the same period last year.

Mr. Vu Duyen Hai, Deputy Director of the Department of Fisheries and Fisheries Surveillance (Ministry of Agriculture and Environment) said that the information technology infrastructure is being upgraded synchronously, helping fishermen easily update data through the platforms VNeID, Border Guard, e-logbook, eCDT. In addition, the Database for Controlling Foreign-Exploited Aquatic Products Imported into Vietnam is also connected to the National Single Window Portal to ensure control and prevention of IUU fishing-violating aquatic products entering Vietnam according to the provisions of the Agreement on Port State Measures (PSMA).

For imported seafood products, Vietnam implements the Port State Measures Agreement (PSMA), establishes a mechanism to contact and verify information with countries with flag vessels, controls records, and monitors imported seafood at seaports, processing and exporting factories - ensuring that illegally exploited seafood does not enter the supply chain.

Under the close direction of the Government, the close coordination of ministries, branches and localities, and the awareness of fishermen, Vietnam is gradually affirming its determination to remove the IUU "yellow card", while building a modern, responsible and sustainable fisheries industry, actively contributing to the development of the marine economy and international integration. (To be continued)

Declaring war on IUU - Part 3: Vietnam prepares all conditions to remove the "yellow card"

Source: https://baotintuc.vn/kinh-te/tuyen-chien-voi-iuu-bai-2-20251120163748488.htm