Khanh Hoa unites to remove IUU ‘yellow card’ through strict compliance

Echoed by fishermen

Activity has returned to a fever pitch at Hon Ro Fishing Port in Nam Nha Trang Ward, Khanh Hoa province. Fishing vessels returning from the Truong Sa fishing grounds and DK1 platforms are docking with holds full of ocean tuna and skipjack tuna, welcomed by businesses and functional forces. Refrigerated trucks line up while the Port Management Board coordinates docking and monitors output to ensure strict traceability protocols.

Despite the economic pressure caused by the "yellow card," which has driven ocean tuna prices down from 150,000 - 160,000 VND to just 110,000 VND per kilogram, fishermen remain committed to the sea. They are adhering to regulations not only to protect their traditional livelihood but also to secure the export market.

"We constantly remind each other to strictly follow all regulations to quickly remove the illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) 'yellow card'," affirmed Nguyen Duc Thang, Chairman of the Vinh Phuoc Fisheries Union.

Nguyen Ngoc Dong, owner of vessel KH 97643 TS, stated that his operations strictly follow the "depart declared, return reported" process at border guard stations and the Hon Ro Port Management Board. His vessel operates solely within Vietnamese waters. "Whether the catch is high or low, my ship absolutely never infringes on foreign waters," Dong asserted, highlighting the fishermen's sense of responsibility toward the national fishery sector.

Combating IUU fishing is identified as a central political task in Khanh Hoa, requiring the engagement of the entire political system. In October 2025, the Department of Agriculture and Environment advised the Provincial People's Committee to issue and implement urgent measures. These included consolidating the Steering Committee, issuing operational regulations, and standardizing data processing procedures for vessel monitoring.

The province has achieved significant milestones in fleet management. Currently, 100% of the 5,213 registered fishing vessels with a length of 6 meters or more are updated in the Vnfishbase national database. Licensing for fishing operations has also reached 100%. Notably, the installation of Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS) on all 1,504 vessels measuring 15 meters or longer has been fully completed. Regarding "3-no" vessels (no registration, no inspection, no license), the province has directed the registration and licensing of all 649 such boats, effectively ending the existence of unregulated vessels in the area.

At Hon Ro Fishing Port, control measures are synchronized and rigorous. Nguyen Van Ba, Head of the Port Management Board, noted that the port enforces 100% control over vessels entering and exiting, requiring 24-hour VMS operation. The port also strictly monitors unloading volumes to ensure traceability and issues certification based on actual data. Compliance from registration to port entry is considered the key factor in maintaining a transparent supply chain.

Khanh Hoa has focused heavily on applying technology and strengthening law enforcement to build a transparent fisheries value chain. Regarding maritime surveillance, the Fishing Vessel Monitoring Center under the Sub-Department of Fisheries organizes 24/7 shifts to track VMS signals and promptly address connection losses. This work is coordinated closely with the Border Guard Command to monitor vessels operating in bordering waters. As of November 7, the Center had issued notifications regarding lost connections and verified and handled these cases accordingly.

Transperancy in original traceability and strictly comply with the law

At the port, 100% of vessels notify the Management Board one hour prior to docking or departing. Technology application is being aggressively pushed. Since March 2024, Hon Ro Fishing Port has deployed the eCDT system to facilitate quick and convenient digital declarations for fishermen. This software supports reporting and correcting errors in electronic logbook keeping. Starting in early 2025, the Department of Agriculture and Environment will continue to deploy electronic seafood traceability software, ensuring that 100% of vessels entering and leaving the port, along with their unloaded catch, are monitored on the eCDT system. Records confirming and certifying the origin of raw materials are stored scientifically to ensure rapid and accurate traceability.

Law enforcement has also been intensified. Functional forces regularly coordinate patrols, inspections, and sanctions against IUU violations. As of November 7, authorities had issued fines totaling over 937 million VND across 91 cases in the fisheries sector. This includes fines of 155 million VND for six cases related to VMS connection loss.

Le Dinh Khiem, Head of the provincial Sub-Department of Fisheries, stated that agencies have guided businesses to review and store full chain-of-custody records, ensuring that certifications are clear, transparent, and ready for the appraisal of the EC Inspection Delegation.

Responsibility of the head

To maintain the momentum of the anti-IUU campaign, the Chairman of the Khanh Hoa Provincial People's Committee presided over a Steering Committee meeting on November 4. The Chairman mandated that agencies must define combating IUU fishing as an urgent, top-priority political task. Furthermore, the responsibility of heads of party committees, local authorities, and functional forces is now directly tied to implementation results. Leaders of localities where fishing vessels commit IUU violations will be held responsible before the Provincial Chairman, and individuals or organizations failing to fulfill their duties will face strict penalties.

Urgent tasks have been set for coastal communes and wards to immediately organize the management of fishing vessels under 6 meters and aquaculture support boats. For vessels ineligible for operation, owners must sign commitments and report anchorage locations weekly, with a completion deadline of November 20, 2025. Localities must also list seafood purchasing facilities outside the port and require them to commit to rejecting seafood that is illegally unloaded.

The Provincial Border Guard Command is resolute in denying departure to any fishing vessel that does not meet regulatory conditions. Meanwhile, the provincial police are reviewing and verifying fishing vessels with unmatched data against the national population database, to be completed by November 15, 2025.

Khanh Hoa is mobilizing its entire political system and the highest level of consensus among its fishermen to achieve these urgent goals. The united effort of both fishermen and the government is the key factor in building a sustainable, responsible fisheries sector, aiming to remove the IUU "yellow card" soon and affirm the position of Viet Nam's fisheries on the international stage.