No foreign water violations by HCMC fishing boats

On the morning of June 10, the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee convened a conference to review the results of efforts to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing during the first six months of 2026 and to outline key tasks for the coming period.

Presenting a report at the conference, Pham Thi Na, Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Agriculture and Environment, stated that the city has vigorously and comprehensively implemented anti-IUU fishing measures in line with directives from the Party Central Committee, the Government, and recommendations from the European Commission (EC), achieving a number of positive outcomes.

Ho Chi Minh City currently has 4,445 fishing vessels, with 100% of registered vessels recorded in the national fisheries database. The licensing rate for fishing vessels has reached 96.36%. The city has also maintained strict control over fishing vessels entering and leaving ports and strengthened seafood traceability measures, with more than 15,800 vessel movements inspected and monitored through the electronic surveillance system.

Alongside intensified awareness-raising campaigns through various channels, the city has continued to implement initiatives such as “Breakfast with Fishermen” and “Morning Coffee with Fishermen,” providing direct dialogue platforms between authorities and fishing communities. These efforts have helped improve compliance with regulations aimed at combating IUU fishing.

Since the beginning of 2026, no fishing vessels from Ho Chi Minh City have been found violating foreign waters. The number of cases involving lost vessel monitoring system (VMS) signals has declined by nearly 70% compared to the same period last year. In addition, verification and certification records have been systematically organized and archived, ensuring fast and accurate traceability whenever required.

“The city’s IUU Steering Committee will continue to focus on addressing existing shortcomings, strengthening fishing fleet management, tightening control over fishing activities at sea, strictly handling violations, and working with the rest of the country to achieve the early removal of the European Commission’s ‘yellow card’ warning,” Ms. Na emphasized.

Despite the progress made, Ho Chi Minh City’s efforts to combat IUU fishing still face a number of challenges and bottlenecks that require continued attention and resolution in the coming period.

One of the key issues is the implementation of the electronic Catch Documentation and Traceability (eCDT) system, which has yet to be fully synchronized. Several system functions still require further refinement, while limitations in technical infrastructure, coordination mechanisms among relevant agencies, and on-the-ground implementation have affected the system’s operational efficiency and data utilization.

In addition, the verification and handling of cases involving fishing vessels that lose connection to their Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) devices remain challenging. Many vessels operate across multiple provinces and frequently move or anchor outside their registered management areas. As a result, information gathering and inter-provincial verification efforts are not always conducted in a timely manner, affecting the progress of investigations and enforcement actions in some cases.

In addition, policies aimed at supporting livelihood diversification and creating sustainable income opportunities for fishermen will require more time and resources to deliver stronger results. As fisheries resources continue to decline, the transition toward more sustainable fishing practices presents significant challenges, requiring coordinated efforts from government agencies, local authorities, and the fishing community.

“Relevant agencies are actively implementing a range of measures to gradually address these challenges and enhance fisheries management in a more modern, transparent, and sustainable manner,” Ms. Na added.

In his remarks at the conference, Bui Minh Thanh, Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee, highly appreciated the achievements made in combating IUU fishing. However, he stressed that the city must also candidly acknowledge a number of shortcomings and limitations that need to be addressed in the coming period.

“The number of fishing vessels that do not meet operational requirements continues to fluctuate frequently, requiring constant review, updating, and strict management. The sale, transfer, and change of ownership of fishing vessels between localities also remain problematic, affecting the effectiveness of state management,” Mr. Bui Minh Thanh noted.

The Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee also stressed that the coming period will be a critical stage in addressing the recommendations issued by the European Commission (EC). Accordingly, departments, agencies, and local authorities must continue to strengthen fishing fleet management, tighten control over fishing activities at sea, improve law enforcement effectiveness, and accelerate the resolution of identified shortcomings and limitations.

With the strong commitment and coordinated efforts of the entire political system, Ho Chi Minh City is determined to effectively implement anti-IUU fishing measures, contributing to the country’s efforts to secure the removal of the EC’s “yellow card” warning at the earliest opportunity.