Hung Yen IUU violating vessels gathered, banned from going offshore

Concentrated docking and fishing ban on IUU violating vessels

Nguyen Duc Kien, Director of Hung Yen Department of Agriculture and Environment (DAE), said the province is tightening control and launching a peak campaign against IUU fishing (until October 31, 2025), in preparation for the 5th inspection mission of the European Commission to lift the IUU yellow card.

Regarding fleet management, Hung Yen DAE has ordered a review, requiring all fishing vessel owners to register, mark, and number their boats in line with Circular 23. A list of 37 unqualified vessels has been compiled and updated for monitoring and inspection, including: 10 with expired technical safety certificates, 18 with expired fishing licenses, 12 with vessel monitoring systems disconnected for over a month, and 7 with expired food safety certificates.

These unqualified vessels are required to gather and anchor at designated docking areas under strict management measures. The list has been publicly posted within communities, and vessels are not allowed to keep fishing gear or equipment onboard, ensuring close monitoring and preventing them from engaging in offshore fishing activities.

Fishing vessel data including vessel owner, ID number, address, and contact information is being cross-checked and updated into the VNFishbase and VMS databases, linked with the national VNeID database.

For port controls, all landing sites in Hung Yen are being reviewed to monitor seafood unloading, collect logbooks, catch reports, and purchase records. The DAE requires sufficient resources (funding and personnel) to inspect, supervise, and handle fishing vessels violating regulations at Cua Lan fishing port. Additional staff will be deployed to verify information on vessels entering and leaving ports, monitor landed volumes, implement eCDT, and input data into the port system as required.

All fishing vessels must complete formal procedures when departing, docking, and unloading at ports, and comply with entry/exit requirements at border guard stations. The number of vessels departing or arriving at ports must match the number reported at border guard checkpoints.

The DAE has requested commune-level police to work with border guards and local authorities to patrol, inspect, and handle vessels and seafood buyers operating outside officially designated ports. A high-risk watchlist of potential IUU violators will also be compiled, including vessel owners, fishermen with prior violations, vessels frequently losing VMS connection, and brokers arranging illegal fishing abroad.

For vessels violating vessel monitoring system (VMS) regulations, authorities are guiding and assisting fishermen in replacing equipment and maintaining a 24/7 VMS connection even when anchored ashore, in accordance with Government Decree No. 37.

VMS equipment providers must work with fishermen to ensure installation, a stable power supply, and reliable operation. They must also assist vessel owners in completing licensing procedures for radio frequencies and communication devices as mandated by law.

The Sub-Department of Fisheries operates 24/7 duty shifts, utilizing the VMS system to track, monitor, detect, alert, and notify cases of vessels losing VMS connection or crossing maritime boundaries so that law enforcement agencies at sea and local authorities onshore can handle them in accordance with regulations.

Regarding violations, the Department requires complete case files and sanctioning decisions for: 92 vessels / 320 cases (2024) losing VMS connection for over 6 hours at sea; 25 vessels / 41 cases (Jan 1–Aug 15, 2025) losing VMS connection for over 6 hours; 10 vessels / 11 cases (2024) losing VMS connection for over 10 days; 4 vessels / 5 cases (2024) crossing maritime boundaries beyond permitted fishing zones.

All fishing vessels of 15m length and above must perform departure and arrival procedures via the eCDT system at designated ports, and use the electronic logbook system in line with guidance from MAE.

Seafood buyers, processing enterprises, port management organizations, and the Sub-Department of Fisheries are required to supervise landing volumes and ensure traceability documentation through the eCDT system.

Regarding infrastructure, the province is pushing forward investment and upgrading the Tan Son fishing port (Thai Thuy commune) to meet standards for designation as a Class II fishing port. Authorities are also reviewing and proposing investment in new construction, repair, and upgrades of fishing ports and storm shelters, ensuring compliance with the Fisheries Law and requirements for IUU prevention.

During this peak campaign, the DAE will lead inspection teams to check implementation by agencies, units, localities, and relevant organizations and individuals. The Provincial Border Guard Command will simultaneously enforce strong measures to detect, prevent, and sanction IUU violations.

Border guard stations are required to step up strict inspections, ensuring all vessels departing and arriving hold the required documents, and strictly prohibiting unqualified vessels from leaving port.

Stronger IUU control at local level

In the plan, Nguyen Duc Kien, Director of Hung Yen DAE, requested that the People’s Committees of coastal communes, including Thai Thuy, Dong Thuy Anh, Thai Ninh, Dong Thai Ninh, Nam Thai Ninh, Dong Chau, Dong Tien Hai, Nam Cuong, Hung Phu, Nam Tien Hai, and Binh Dinh, review and update 100% of fishing vessels operating within their jurisdictions.

Clearly identify and list in detail each fishing vessel at high risk of IUU violations - those frequently operating outside the province, often disconnecting from VMS, or with prior IUU offenses. This includes 37 violating vessels: 10 cases with expired technical safety certificates, 18 cases with expired fishing licenses, 12 cases disconnected from VMS for over a month, and 7 cases with expired food safety certificates. These vessels are assigned to specific agencies, enforcement units, and local authorities for monitoring and management.

Coastal communes must gather unqualified fishing vessels at designated docking areas and apply strict management measures to ensure they do not engage in offshore fishing. Weekly, they must report mooring positions and submit specific images to the Sub-Department of Fisheries for compilation and reporting as regulated.

The above-mentioned communes are responsible for investigating, verifying, and handling VMS violations involving fishing vessels that lose connection to the monitoring device at sea, particularly those disconnected for more than 10 days under their management. Such cases must be dealt with strictly to deter violations and made public through local media.

They must compile investigation and verification results, including details of each case, specifying whether penalties were imposed or not, along with reasons.