Detection of 'three-no' fishing vessels during the peak month of IUU fishing prevention

In line with Official Telegram No. 198/CĐ-TTg dated October 17, 2025, issued by the Prime Minister on the implementation of the peak month for combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing and promoting the sustainable development of Viet Nam’s fisheries sector, the Fisheries Surveillance Sub-department of Region V (under the Department of Fisheries and Surveillance) proactively launched an early intensive patrol campaign at sea.

Accordingly, on October 27, 2025, the Region V Fisheries Surveillance Sub-department issued Decision No. 13 to establish a patrol team and deploy vessel KN-506 to conduct patrol, inspection, control, and law enforcement activities in the fisheries sector.

Patrol Team No. 13 consists of 18 members, with Mr. Nguyen Phu Quoc, Deputy Director of the Department of Fisheries and Surveillance (Ministry of Agriculture and Environment) and concurrently Head of the Fisheries Surveillance Sub-department of Region V, directly commanding operations at sea. The patrol runs from October 30 to November 18, 2025, covering the southwestern sea of Viet Nam, the waters bordering Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand, and the Viet Nam–Cambodia historical waters.

Prior to deployment, on October 29 in An Giang, the Fisheries Surveillance Sub-department of Region V chaired an interagency meeting with relevant forces, including leaders of the Phu Quoc Special Zone, the Coast Guard Region 4 Command, the Navy Region 5 Command, An Thoi Border Guard Station, Phu Quoc Special Zone Police, An Thoi Fishing Port, and members of Patrol Team No. 13, to discuss coordinated and synchronized measures between onshore and offshore forces.

Onshore units were tasked with reviewing and inspecting all fishing vessels and coastal landing sites to detect and prevent unqualified boats from operating. At sea, joint forces conduct patrols across nearshore, inshore, and offshore areas, with each regional fisheries surveillance sub-department responsible for its respective waters. At fishing ports, landing inspections are tightened to ensure that illegally caught seafood does not enter the supply chain.

Within just the first three days after deployment (October 30, 31, and November 1), Patrol Team No. 13 detected and sanctioned nine fishing vessels for IUU violations, with total fines exceeding 1 billion VND. Notably, among them was the fishing vessel CM-92016-TS, which violated the “three-no” rule: no registration, no fishing license, and no inspection certificate.

According to Working Record No. 0106/BB-LV, at 15:01 on November 1, 2025, in waters located at coordinates φ = 10°05’N, λ = 103°55’E (inshore area of An Giang Province), Patrol Team No. 13 detected the fishing vessel CM-92016-TS, captained by Mr. Tran Van Cao (born in 1987, resident of Tay Yen Commune, An Bien District, Kien Giang Province), operating a squid-trapping fishery with five crew members but without a vessel monitoring system (VMS) signal.

Inspection showed that the vessel lacked all legal documentation, including: Certificate of Vessel Registration, Fishing License, Certificate of Technical Safety, Crew List Book, Crew Insurance, Fishing Logbook, and Certificate of Food Safety.

On the vessel’s deck were approximately 14,000 seashells, and in the hold, around 200 kilograms of squid and octopus. However, the captain was unable to provide proof of legal origin. Mr. Cao stated that all the vessel’s documents were kept by the boat owner, Mrs. Huynh Thi Hoa, residing in Bai Nha A Hamlet, Lai Son Commune, Kien Hai District, Kien Giang Province.

The patrol team ordered the suspension of fishing activities, the retrieval of fishing gear, and the vessel’s return to An Thoi International Port (Phu Quoc Special Zone, An Giang Province) for handover and handling in accordance with regulations.

Mr. Nguyen Phu Quoc emphasized: “This is a serious violation. Therefore, Patrol Team No. 13 has ordered the owner of the fishing vessel CM-92016-TS to cease operations, terminate all fishing activities, and bring the vessel back to An Thoi International Port for handling in line with legal provisions.”

According to Mr. Quoc, this incident serves as a typical lesson on IUU violations, reflecting the reality that some vessel owners and captains fail to comply with fisheries laws. At the same time, it demonstrates the determination of the Fisheries Surveillance Force in patrolling and controlling activities to thoroughly prevent violations, protect national fishery resources, and contribute to Viet Nam’s efforts to lift the IUU “yellow card.”

The detection and strict handling of IUU-violating vessels, particularly the “three-no” case, highlights the Fisheries Surveillance Force’s determination to clean up the seas and restore order in the fishing industry, while reaffirming Viet Nam’s strong commitment to removing the IUU “yellow card” and moving toward a modern, responsible, and sustainable fisheries sector.

According to the report of the Fisheries Surveillance Sub-department of Region V, from October 1 to November 2, 2025, the sub-department conducted three patrol missions in the southwestern sea of Vietnam. During this period, the forces inspected 125 fishing vessels, detected 25 violations, and imposed total fines exceeding approximately USD 77,000.

* USD 1 = VND 26,077 (Source: Vietcombank)