Crackdown on illegal fishing violations in Southwest inshore waters

In recent times, the issue of fishing vessels violating zoning regulations in the Southwest inshore waters has remained complex, posing potential risks of seafood resource depletion and impacting efforts to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. Addressing this reality, Nguyen Phu Quoc, Deputy Director of the Department of Fisheries and Fisheries Surveillance and Director of the Region V Fisheries Surveillance Branch, signed Decision No. 143/QĐ-KNV5-NV on November 24, 2025, establishing Patrol Team No. 15 to enforce regulations in the Southwest maritime region.

Under the direction of the Department of Fisheries and Fisheries Surveillance, from November 26 to December 15, 2025, the Region V Fisheries Surveillance Branch coordinated with the Coast Guard Region Command and the Ca Mau Border Guard to organize Patrol Team No. 15. The operation focused on patrolling and controlling the Southwest waters, with a particular emphasis on the inshore areas of Ca Mau and An Giang, which are designated as high-risk zones for violations.

The Southwest inshore route continues to be a "hotspot" for illegal activity. During the mission, the patrol team allocated time and forces to target specific areas where violations frequently occur. Authorities inspected 53 fishing vessels, all of which were Vietnamese; no foreign vessels were found violating these waters.

Among the inspected vessels, those from An Giang province accounted for the majority with 35 ships, including 30 trawlers, three fisheries logistics vessels, and two purse seiners. Additionally, two trawlers each from Vinh Long, Ca Mau, and Dong Thap provinces were inspected.

Nguyen Hoai Nam, a specialist from the Region I Fisheries Surveillance Branch who was deployed to reinforce Region V and served as the patrol team leader, noted that monitoring and actual inspections confirm the Southwest inshore route remains a key area with complex developments regarding fishing zone violations. Many trawlers with a length of 15 meters or more, despite being licensed for offshore operations, deliberately encroached into inshore waters to exploit seafood resources.

According to Mr. Nam, the task force detected and handled eight violations in this area during the patrol. Several vessels were found violating not only zoning regulations but also multiple other rules simultaneously, such as failing to record or present fishing logbooks, captains lacking required diplomas or certificates, logistics vessels participating directly in fishing activities, and failing to ensure safe crew manning levels. These realities reflect the intentional nature and recidivism of the violations, creating significant pressure on fisheries management and resource protection while directly affecting Vietnam’s IUU prevention efforts.

Preliminary aggregates indicate that the total fines for these violations are expected to exceed 1.8 billion VND. Cases outside the jurisdiction of the Director of the Region V Fisheries Surveillance Branch have been transferred to the Ca Mau Sub-Department of Seas, Islands, and Fisheries Surveillance, as well as the An Giang Sub-Department of Fisheries and Fisheries Surveillance for processing, with expected fines totaling approximately 1.4 billion VND. For cases within his authority, the Director of the Region V Fisheries Surveillance Branch issued seven administrative penalty decisions totaling over 400 million VND. Strict enforcement is intended to increase deterrence and gradually restore order and discipline in marine fishing activities.

Parallel to inspection and enforcement, the patrol team placed special emphasis on propaganda and legal dissemination for fishermen. Authorities directly educated over 50 ship owners and captains, along with approximately 400 crew members, urging them to strictly comply with fishing regulations and avoid IUU violations. During the patrol, the task force also presented 10 national flags, 25 life jackets, and 10 life buoys to fishing vessels, helping to encourage fishermen to feel secure while operating at sea and to fish safely and legally.

Given the complex developments in the Southwest inshore waters, maritime law enforcement forces plan to increase patrols, inspections, and supervision in the coming time. This will involve a close combination of handling violations and raising fishermen's awareness of legal compliance. Tightly controlling fishing activities in the Southwest inshore region not only contributes to protecting aquatic resources but also holds significant importance in implementing European Commission recommendations, aiming toward the goal of sustainable and responsible fisheries development.

Additionally, during the patrol, the task force received information and successfully rescued a green sea turtle weighing approximately 5 kilograms that had become entangled in the nets of fishing vessel BT-97947-TS in the waters southwest of Tho Chu Island. After verification, the patrol team, in conjunction with the Coast Guard and Border Guard, guided the fishermen through the rescue process. The turtle was subsequently released back into the marine environment in a safe and healthy condition.