Strict monitoring of fishing vessels to combat IUU fishing

Against the illegal, unreported, and unregulated

On a mild, sunny morning, fisherman Nguyen Thanh Do, the owner of vessel TTH-91456-TS in Phu Thuan commune, Phu Vang district, shared that he meticulously inspects the vessel monitoring system (VMS) and remains informed about Vietnam's laws, the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and offshore fishing regulations, including communication procedures and coordinates, prior to embarking on each trip. Additionally, he hoists a fresh national flag on his boat. His plan is to completely adhere to the regulations governing the prevention of IUU fishing and to fish within the legal limits of Vietnam's territorial waters in the South China Sea.

"Having worked at sea for many years, we are well aware that the European Commission issued a 'yellow card' warning to Vietnam for failing to control fishing locations properly." Since that time, we have committed to adhering to the regulations and refraining from engaging in any illegal fishing activities in foreign waters. "Every journey is not solely about fishing and generating income; it is also about safeguarding and defending the maritime sovereignty of our nation," Do stated.

Hue City has a maritime area of approximately 20,000 square kilometers and a coastline of more than 120 kilometers. It is home to five estuaries: Thuan An, Tu Hien, Kieng, Binh An, and Lang Co. At present, 1,127 fishing vessels in the city have been registered and submitted to the national fisheries database (VNFishbase) for monitoring. Of these, 437 vessels are over 15 meters in length, 148 are between 12 and 15 meters, and 542 are between 6 and 12 meters. We have successfully achieved a 100% installation rate by installing VMS devices on all 436 offshore fishing vessels.

According to Hue's Department of Agriculture and Environment, whether the EU yellow card can be lifted largely depends on fishers’ awareness. Hue has demonstrated promising indicators thus far. Local fishermen adhere to the government's policies and the law strictly. There have been no administrative penalties for IUU fishing violations in Hue since the inception of 2025.

Nguyen Dinh Duc, Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment in Hue City, stated that the department issues weekly reports that identify high-risk vessels that are likely to contravene IUU regulations. These are submitted to the VMS system for law enforcement agencies to inspect and manage as necessary. The VMS monitoring team is active 24/7 to identify and address vessels that violate boundaries, experience a loss of connection at sea for more than six hours without reporting, or remain separated for more than ten days without returning to shore.

The city has also implemented an electronic capture documentation and traceability system (eCDT) for 100% of vessels entering or exiting ports, which enables catch monitoring at port checkpoints. “All departing and arriving vessels are now inspected per regulations and required to submit catch and transshipment logs. The city is also cracking down on vessels unloading at unauthorized or privately-run ports,” Duc emphasized.

In Hue, there have been no administrative sanctions associated with IUU fishing violations as of early 2025.

Fishing vessels that are unofficial, have expired licenses, or have not undergone inspection are prohibited from operating at sea. Inspections had identified 109 uninspected boats, 117 with expired licenses, and 65 vessels (12–15 meters long) that were missing registration due to incomplete documents as of February 2025.

As Hue lacks a local inspection facility, the Department has instructed the Fisheries Sub-Department to assist boat owners in obtaining inspection services from neighboring provinces. Concurrently, coastal district authorities encourage individual boat owners to finalize their licensing procedures by mobilizing local communes and divisions via visits.

The political will to eliminate the yellow card

Vice Chairman Hoang Hai Minh of Hue underscored the city's dedication to the efficient and coordinated implementation of fisheries regulations. It has implemented measures to address deficiencies in accordance with the European Commission's recommendations. It is imperative that all levels of the administration participate in the anti-IUU campaign, as it is considered a political priority.

“The city continues to promote transparent communication regarding Vietnam’s IUU prevention efforts, using various communication channels and training programs to educate fishing communities and relevant stakeholders. At the same time, fishermen are encouraged to practice sustainable harvesting in tandem with conservation, to safeguard long-term livelihoods and promote a resilient fisheries sector,” Minh said.

To encourage and assist fellow fishermen in the fight against IUU fishing and the eradication of the "yellow card," Hue has established numerous effective grassroots models, including the "Safe Fishing Vessel Teams at Sea" and the "Young Offshore Fishermen Club." These organizations consistently remind their members of their responsibilities and guarantee that they adhere to all fishing laws and operational guidelines.