Da Nang has brought over 1,900 IUU fishing vessels under management

According to Mr. Vo Van Long, Director of the Da Nang Sub-Department of Marine and Fisheries, following the recent administrative merger, the city now manages a total of 4,142 fishing vessels with a length of 6 meters or more. Among them, inshore fishing vessels make up the largest proportion with 2,338 boats (56.4%), followed by 614 nearshore vessels (14.8%) and 1,190 offshore vessels (28.7%).

To date, every single fishing vessel in the city has been recorded in Da Nang's official monitoring database and is now under management. Of these, more than 4,000 vessels have been granted valid fishing licences - a compliance rate of approximately 96.7%.

Particularly noteworthy is the fact that all vessels measuring 15 meters or more and deployed to offshore waters are now equipped with vessel monitoring systems (VMS), and these boats are being strictly monitored throughout their fishing activities at sea.

One of the most notable advancements in Da Nang’s ongoing efforts to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing has been the comprehensive resolution of over 1,900 so-called “three-no” fishing vessels. These are vessels that, for many years, operated without registration, technical inspection, or official fishing licenses - effectively remaining outside the regulatory framework. Their presence posed considerable challenges to fisheries governance and monitoring. Now, having been brought under formal management, these vessels are part of an integrated tracking and control system, significantly enhancing the city’s ability to supervise fishing activities and improve legal compliance across the sector.

Despite this progress, several persistent issues still need to be addressed. As of now, approximately 135 fishing vessels remain unlicensed. Some localities have yet to fully comply with regulations on vessel identification, including proper numbering and markings. Moreover, a number of vessels, especially those operating offshore, such as squid-fishing boats, are still experiencing prolonged disconnection from VMS for over six hours. This is particularly concerning given that such vessels are considered at high risk of violating foreign maritime boundaries.

In response to these challenges, the Da Nang Sub-Department of Marine and Fisheries plans to continue coordinating closely with local authorities in the coming period to complete the licensing process for the remaining vessels. For boats that fail to meet the legal conditions for licensing, the authorities will compile detailed reports, verify their operational status and location, and assign management responsibility to the appropriate local government units.

At the same time, information on unlicensed vessels will be shared with border guard checkpoints to ensure that such vessels are not permitted to depart from port until they obtain valid documentation. These measures aim to reinforce oversight, prevent IUU fishing violations, and strengthen the overall integrity of the city’s fisheries sector.

In addition, the Sub-Department will carry out a comprehensive review and inspection of all fishing vessel markings to ensure full compliance with current regulations. Support will be provided to help fishermen meet the necessary technical standards. At the same time, authorities will continue to monitor and update information on vessels that lose connection with the Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) and those that breach permitted fishing boundaries. Violating vessels will be identified, verified, and subject to strict enforcement measures.

Beyond inspection and enforcement, the city is placing strong emphasis on preventing the reemergence of “three-no” fishing vessels - those without registration, inspection, or licenses - through enhanced coordination with local police. This collaboration aims to strengthen early detection mechanisms and ensure prompt intervention, particularly in cases involving potential violations in foreign waters.

Mr. Vo Van Long, Director of the Sub-Department of Marine and Fisheries, affirmed that: “The Sub-Department will continue to closely align its actions with the city’s overarching action plan, while actively advising and working in close coordination with relevant departments, local authorities, and the fishing community to implement comprehensive and decisive solutions. These efforts are part of our strategic preparation for the upcoming fifth inspection mission by the European Commission (EC). The ultimate goal is to have the ‘yellow card’ lifted and to build a modern, responsible fisheries sector aligned with Vietnam’s international commitments.”

Since 2021, authorities have sanctioned numerous violations, with total fines exceeding 17 billion VND (approx. 665,000 USD). In the first half of 2025 alone, 66 administrative violation cases have been handled, resulting in nearly 7 billion VND (approx. 274,000 USD) in fines.