Propaganda for peak month against IUU fishing

Diversify forms of propaganda

Implementing Decision No. 2310/QD-TTg and Official Dispatch No. 198/CD-TTg dated October 17, 2025 of the Prime Minister on implementing the peak month against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, coastal localities across the country simultaneously launched a peak campaign to propagate, inspect and tighten management of fishing activities. The overarching goal is to be determined to work with the whole country to remove the "yellow card" of the European Commission (EC) and build a sustainable fisheries sector.

The People's Committee of An Giang province has stepped up propaganda through many channels, notably sending direct messages to mobile phone subscribers of ship owners, captains and fishermen to propagate against IUU fishing. Photo: Trung Chanh.

As a locality with a large fishing fleet, the People's Committee of An Giang province has stepped up propaganda through many channels, notably sending direct messages to mobile subscribers of ship owners, captains and fishermen. The recommendation requires organizations and individuals to strictly comply with legal regulations on combating IUU fishing, and not to let fishing vessels violate foreign waters.

According to regulations, fishing vessels must have valid registration, inspection, and fishing license, be equipped with a vehicle monitoring system (VMS), and must operate continuously 24/7 for vessels 15 m or longer in length. In case a vessel loses connection to VMS for more than 6 hours without reporting its location or loses connection for more than 10 days without bringing the vessel to shore, it will be strictly handled. Violating vessel owners can be fined up to 1 billion VND. For the act of illegally sending a vessel to fish in foreign waters, violators can be fined up to 1 billion VND or imprisoned for up to 15 years according to the Penal Code.

Provincial authorities have increased inspections, patrols, and strictly controlled ships entering and leaving ports, ensuring that all fishing vessels leaving and arriving at ports are properly monitored by border guards and fishing ports. At the same time, the list of fishing vessels that do not meet operating conditions such as unregistered, expired, without a fishing license, or not installed with a VMS, etc., is made public in the community to strengthen social supervision.

Deliver information to each audience

According to the direction of the Department of Grassroots Information and External Information (Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism), the grassroots information system in coastal provinces is required to increase broadcasting time, expand propaganda time and diversify messages to effectively reach target groups such as fishermen, ship owners, warehouse owners and seafood purchasing facilities.

An Giang provincial authorities met directly with ship owners, captains and fishermen to discuss and distribute leaflets, demanding absolute compliance with legal regulations on combating IUU fishing. Photo: Trung Chanh.

The propaganda content focuses on the requirement to strictly implement Directive 32-CT/TW of the Secretariat, not allowing fishing vessels to violate foreign waters. Resolutely handle acts of deliberately turning off monitoring equipment, not complying with inspection or concealing the origin of exploited aquatic products. Localities are required to fully inform about the regulations on traceability according to Decree 38/2024/ND-CP, strictly prohibiting the purchase of aquatic products of unknown origin, and not assisting in illegal exploitation.

At the same time, propaganda work on career conversion for banned fishing occupations, encouraging the shift to high-tech marine aquaculture, ecological aquaculture and combined aquaculture is also strongly promoted to ensure long-term livelihoods and reduce pressure on fishing grounds.

Localities proactively coordinate with the Propaganda Department and the Department of Agriculture and Environment to provide complete information at press conferences. Direct the grassroots radio system, electronic bulletin boards, and commune/ward information portals to continuously update, helping fishermen promptly grasp regulations and avoid IUU violations due to lack of information.

The synchronous and drastic implementation of the peak month of propaganda against IUU fishing is the key solution to help Vietnam strive to remove the EC “yellow card”, protect aquatic resources, stabilize fishermen’s livelihoods and move towards a responsible, modern and sustainable development of the fisheries industry.

The People's Committee of An Giang province is stepping up propaganda by sending text messages to mobile subscribers, requiring ship owners, captains and fishermen to strictly comply with the law on combating IUU fishing. Violators can be fined up to VND1 billion or imprisoned for up to 15 years.

Source: https://nongnghiepmoitruong.vn/tuyen-truyen-thang-cao-diem-chong-khai-thac-iuu-d786294.html