Thanh Hoa controls IUU in to sustain local fisheries sector

Maintain discipline, operate the port system efficiently

In the first six months of 2025, the Thanh Hoa Port Authority took the lead in implementing its assigned duties, promoting a spirit of high concentration and improving legal discipline in port management. The Authority also frequently coordinated with organizations such as the Ho Chi Minh Youth Union to assign clear responsibilities and inspect and evaluate monthly to learn from experience.

The Authority also promoted propaganda and dissemination of legal policies, especially the Fisheries Law 2017 and regulations related to port management, combating illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUU) and ensuring strict implementation. The communication system at the port operates continuously, helping to update timely information and legal regulations.

The work of collecting waste and ensuring environmental sanitation in the port area is also given importance. The Authority has coordinated with local environmental sanitation units and arranged for staff to collect waste daily, especially after goods are unloaded. At the same time, the Port coordinated with the armed forces, police, and local authorities to ensure security and order, prevent fires, and prevent violations of the law to increase discipline.

In the first 6 months of 2025, 3,951 fishing vessels entered the port (an increase of 98.1% compared to the same period in 2024), with a total unloading volume of aquatic products reaching 36,585 tons. The Port Authority also issued 20 certificates of origin for aquatic products exploited for export enterprises with a total export volume of 90 tons, to serve export recovery.

The work of monitoring catch, managing fishing vessel licenses with the vessel monitoring system (VMS), and updating data on the Vnfishbase, Google Sheet, and ECDT systems is strictly implemented. Vessels that violate IUU or do not have enough conditions to dock will be fined, have a record made, and handled according to legal regulations.

Accelerate the fight against IUU, overcome difficulties, and move towards modern port operations

Despite many positive results, the Thanh Hoa Port Authority still faces many difficulties, especially regarding technical infrastructure. Many port wharves have been in use for a long time, with many items seriously deteriorating. The port wharves are shallow, making it difficult for ships to dock.

Notably, sedimentation at the Lach estuary, the Au estuary, and the area in front of the piers has become complicated. The channels are narrowing, making it impossible for many offshore fishing vessels to enter the port on schedule; they have to wait for high tide. This both wastes time and reduces the port's cargo handling capacity.

Furthermore, some ship owners and captains still lack a sense of legal compliance, fail to maintain vessel monitoring devices, fish in unauthorized areas, and dock at undesignated points, which makes it difficult to monitor, catch, and trace its origin.

In light of this situation, the Authority has proposed several key solutions for the last 6 months of 2025. It will continue strengthening measures against IUU fishing, organize 24/7 port surveillance to monitor vessels entering and exiting, strictly control fishing logs and actual catches, and coordinate to handle violations severely.

In addition, the Authority will continue to rationally arrange and organize the service area within the port, ensuring it is scientific, safe, and convenient for vehicles and ships to access services. The work of ensuring environmental hygiene, fire prevention, and security and order will continue to be enhanced, including a plan to provide fire prevention and fighting training for all officials, workers, and businesses at the port.

Disaster and storm prevention work is also at the highest level. The Authority will organize 24/7 duty, regularly announce weather developments, and arrange for vessels to anchor according to the plan to ensure absolute safety. In an emergency, people will be promptly evacuated from the vessels, and rescue and recovery efforts will be coordinated.

According to the Thanh Hoa Port Authority's leadership, the Authority has recommended that competent authorities and sectors soon implement a project to dredge the channels and upgrade and expand the Lach Hoi, Lach Bang, and Hoa Loc fishing ports in conjunction with storm shelter areas. This is a key solution to enhance service capacity and promote the role of the fishing port system in the sustainable development of the fishing industry.

With the determination to maintain its role as a key coastal fishing infrastructure hub, the Thanh Hoa Port Authority is striving to overcome difficulties, constantly innovating, and improving its management and operation, contributing to the goal of developing the maritime economy while protecting the province's sovereignty and marine resources.