Lam Dong Steps Up IUU Fight, Aims for Sustainable Fisheries
	Quang Tri Strengthens Joint Patrols to Prevent IUU fishing

Vice Chairman of the An Giang Provincial People’s Committee Ngo Cong Thuc emphasized that the province is maximizing all resources and ensuring decisive, comprehensive and effective leadership and direction to address shortcomings identified by the European Commission (EC), as well as directives from the Government, the Prime Minister, the national IUU steering committee, relevant ministries and the provincial Party Committee. Relevant departments and local authorities are required to complete action plans with specific, feasible solutions to combat IUU in April 2026.

Accordingly, departments must finalize plans to implement EC recommendations, clearly classifying immediate, medium- and long-term tasks. An inter-agency provincial task force will be established with clear regulations and responsibilities for IUU prevention and control. Authorities will also advise the provincial People’s Committee on regulations for managing ineligible fishing vessels and propose upgrades to fishing port systems, along with plans to establish centralized anchorage areas for “three-no” vessels.

Fishing vessels anchored in the waters of An Bien, An Giang province. (Photo: Hong Dat/TTXVN)

The Department of Agriculture and Environment will coordinate with localities to complete a comprehensive review of vessel monitoring system (VMS) installation, ensure proper marking and registration for all fishing vessels, and strengthen fleet management and control.

The provincial Border Guard Command is tasked with urgently investigating and resolving cases of vessels violating foreign waters, based on information provided by ministries and foreign embassies. It will also strengthen inspection and control of vessels entering and leaving ports via the eCDT system, and closely manage vessels at coastal landing sites, river mouths and estuaries, especially those between 12 and under 15 meters and those ineligible for operation.

Provincial police are assigned to investigate and strictly handle serious violations related to traceability, documentation fraud, illegal fishing in foreign waters and VMS violations. Local police will also strengthen control over vessels and fishermen at their places of residence, maintaining updated information on vessel owners, captains and operational areas, linked with the national population database (VNeID).

The province has requested centrally managed forces stationed in the area to increase personnel and equipment for inspection and control of fishing activities in waters bordering Vietnam with Thailand, Malaysia and Cambodia, in order to promptly detect and strictly handle violations and prevent local vessels from encroaching into foreign waters.

At the same time, An Giang continues to implement Decision No. 2310/QD-TTg dated October 17, 2025 on the “Action plan for peak month against IUU and sustainable development of Vietnam’s fisheries sector,” and Official Dispatch No. 198/CD-TTg of the same date.

The province is also approving and implementing a plan to support career transitions for fishermen whose vessels are reduced or converted, helping stabilize livelihoods, reduce fishing pressure, protect marine resources and the environment, and promote sustainable local economic development in line with international IUU regulations.

According to the Department of Agriculture and Environment, An Giang has 10,880 registered fishing vessels updated in the national fisheries database (VN Fishbase), of which 10,324 are licensed, accounting for 94.89%. A total of 556 vessels are ineligible for operation. In the first quarter of 2026, the province issued 45 catch certificates (CC) for exports to the European market.

Through patrols and inspections at sea, authorities detected 10 violating vessels and recorded administrative violations, including fishing in wrong zones, captains and chief engineers lacking required certificates, failure to purchase crew insurance, use of banned gear and operation of ineligible vessels.

Authorities have updated administrative sanction data into the national database managed by the Directorate of Fisheries and Fisheries Surveillance. A total of 99 cases have been handled, with fines exceeding VND 9.5 billion.

Regarding VMS installation, 3,577 out of 3,586 vessels have been equipped, with 100% of licensed vessels installing VMS. The remaining nine inactive vessels have had their berthing locations updated on Google Maps.

In managing fishing activities at sea, in the first quarter of 2026, authorities made 14 calls to 13 vessel owners and captains whose vessels crossed permitted boundaries, requesting them to return to Vietnam waters, and issued 14 warning notices.

For vessels losing VMS connection at sea, authorities made 623 calls related to 623 instances (409 vessels), and issued 55 notices covering 405 instances (260 vessels). Vessels showing signs or high risk of IUU violations are being verified and handled in accordance with regulations.

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