Raising awareness against IUU fishing during peak month

Diversifying communication methods

Implementing Decision No. 2310/QD-TTg and Official Telegram 198/CD-TTg dated October 17, 2025 by the Prime Minister on launching the peak month against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, coastal localities nationwide simultaneously conducted intensive campaigns on communication, inspections and strict management of fishing activities. The overarching goal is to work with the whole country to remove the “yellow card” issued by the European Commission (EC) and build a sustainable fisheries sector.

As a locality with a large fishing fleet, the People’s Committee of An Giang Province strengthens communication through multiple channels, notably by sending direct messages to mobile subscribers of vessel owners, captains and fishermen. The messages urge organizations and individuals to strictly comply with legal regulations on combating IUU fishing and to prevent fishing vessels from violating foreign waters.

In addition to text messaging, An Giang also organizes direct communication sessions at fishing ports, wholesale seafood markets and fisheries unions. The border guard force works with local authorities to distribute leaflets, hang banners at anchorage areas and guide fishermen on installing VMS monitoring applications on their mobile phones so they can check their vessel’s connection status. Dialogue sessions with fishing communities are also increased to clarify issues related to penalties, traceability and raw material verification procedures.

According to regulations, fishing vessels must have valid registration, inspection, and fishing licenses, be equipped with a vessel monitoring system (VMS), and maintain continuous 24/24-hour operation for vessels of 15 m or more in length. Vessels that lose VMS connection for over 6 hours without reporting their position or remain disconnected for more than 10 days without returning to port will be strictly handled. Vessel owners may be fined up to VND 1 billion. For illegal fishing in foreign waters, violators may be fined up to VND 1 billion or imprisoned for up to 15 years in accordance with the Penal Code.

Functional forces in the provinces increase inspections and patrols, strictly controlling vessel arrivals and departures to ensure all fishing vessels leaving or entering ports are monitored by border guards and port authorities as required. Lists of vessels not eligible for operation such as those without registration, expired inspection certificates, no fishing licenses or lacking VMS installation are publicly posted in local communities to enhance social monitoring.

Many localities have also set up hotlines for fishermen to report VMS technical issues, vessels attempting to lure boats across boundaries or acts of brokering illegal fishing. These reports are handled immediately to minimize the risk of violations.

Communicating to each target group

Following the directives of the Department of Grassroots Information and External Information (Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism), grassroots information systems in coastal provinces are required to increase broadcast duration, expand broadcast schedules and diversify messages to effectively reach groups such as fishermen, vessel owners, brokers and seafood buyers.

Communication focuses on the requirement to strictly implement Directive 32-CT/TW of the Secretariat strictly, preventing fishing vessels from violating foreign waters. Violations such as intentionally turning off VMS devices, refusing inspections or concealing the origin of caught seafood must be strictly handled. Localities are required to provide full information on traceability regulations under Decree 38/2024/ND-CP, strictly prohibiting the purchase of seafood of unknown origin and preventing any facilitation of illegal fishing.

At the same time, communication on livelihood transition for banned fishing occupations, encouraging fishermen to shift to high-tech marine farming, ecological aquaculture or integrated farming, is strongly promoted to ensure long-term livelihoods and reduce pressure on fishing grounds.

Localities proactively coordinate with the Propaganda Department and the Department of Agriculture and Environment to provide information at press briefings. They direct grassroots broadcasting systems, electronic message boards and commune/ward portals to update information continuously, helping fishermen promptly understand regulations and avoid IUU violations due to lack of information.

Some provinces have also built digital libraries on IUU containing technical guidelines, sample traceability documents, penalty regulations and VMS instruction videos for fishermen to easily look up. This helps narrow the information gap between management agencies and fishing communities, contributing to improved compliance.

The synchronized and decisive implementation of the peak month of propaganda against IUU fishing is a key solution helping Viet Nam strive to remove the EC’s “yellow card”, protect aquatic resources, stabilize fishermen’s livelihoods and move toward a responsible, modern and sustainable fisheries sector.

The People’s Committee of An Giang Province is strengthening communication by sending messages to mobile subscribers requiring vessel owners, captains and fishermen to strictly comply with legal regulations against IUU fishing; violations may be subject to fines of up to VND 1 billion or imprisonment for up to 15 years.

* $1 = VND 26.403 - Source: Vietcombank.