Can Tho Boosts Coordinated Communication to Stop IUU Fishing

	Significant Progress in Changing Fishermen’s Perceptions of IUU
	Prime Minister Calls for Faster, Stronger Action in the Fight Against IUU Fishing

Strictly implementing the direction of the Government and the National Steering Committee on IUU prevention and control, the Can Tho city People’s Committee has issued a Communication Plan on IUU prevention and control for the 2025–2030 period. The plan clearly demonstrates the city’s strong political determination to accompany the country in protecting national credibility and moving toward sustainable, responsible fisheries development and international integration.

According to the plan, communication work does not stop at disseminating legal regulations, but aims at a deeper goal of creating substantive changes in awareness, responsibility and action among authorities at all levels, sectors, fishing communities, vessel owners and seafood enterprises. Communication must clarify Viet Nam’s consistent stance of “waging a determined fight” against IUU fishing, while truthfully and transparently reflecting the concrete efforts and results that Can Tho has implemented and continues to implement, thereby building social consensus and gaining support from domestic and international public opinion.

In 2025, the city focuses communication on institutions, policies and direction and administration in IUU prevention and control. The emphasis is on widely disseminating the Fisheries Law and guiding documents for its implementation, as well as amendments and supplements to decrees on administrative sanctions in the fisheries sector in line with EC recommendations. This helps fishermen and vessel owners firmly grasp regulations and clearly understand the legal and economic consequences of IUU violations.

At the same time, communication work focuses on clearly reflecting specific results in the management and monitoring of the fishing fleet. Emphasized contents include registration, inspection and licensing for fishing activities; ensuring that 100 percent of operating fishing vessels are marked and painted with registration numbers as prescribed; installation and maintenance of vessel monitoring system (VMS) equipment; updating catch data to the national fisheries management system; strict control of fishing vessels entering and leaving ports; and strict handling of violations.

Through the format of a mock trial, legal regulations on the prevention and control of IUU fishing are conveyed in a visual and vivid manner, helping fishermen clearly understand their legal responsibilities in fishing activities, toward sustainable and responsible fisheries development. (Photo: Justice Newspaper)

Another important content is communication on seafood traceability from capture. The city focuses on clarifying the process for implementing electronic traceability; requiring that seafood raw materials be certified only at eligible ports; and resolutely preventing products of unclear origin from participating in the processing and export chain to the EU market. Through communication, purchasing and processing facilities and fishermen clearly understand their responsibilities at each stage of the fisheries value chain.

Notably, Can Tho’s communication plan does not separate IUU prevention and control from the livelihood issue of the people. The city promotes communication on guidelines and policies for transitioning fishing activities that affect resources and the ecological environment; introduces new production models and sustainable aquaculture, reducing fishing intensity. Thereby, fishermen are gradually supported in livelihood transition, stabilizing their lives and limiting the risk of recurring IUU violations at the root.

The Can Tho Department of Agriculture and Environment plays a core role in advising, providing specialized information, guiding, inspecting and summarizing the results of communication work on IUU prevention and control. Border Guard, Fisheries Surveillance and city Police forces closely coordinate in patrol, inspection and control; integrating legal communication into task performance, directly mobilizing fishermen to strictly comply with regulations and not infringe upon foreign waters.

In addition, press agencies in the city are identified as an important force in spreading official information, promptly reflecting activities, good models and effective practices; contributing to guiding public opinion and raising community awareness of IUU prevention and control.

In the 2026–2030 period, Can Tho will continue to maintain regular, in-depth communication, focusing on reflecting results of livelihood transition and the development of responsible fisheries; gradually integrating international standards in seafood capture and processing; while affirming the role of maritime law enforcement forces in protecting aquatic resources.

The city will organize a comprehensive review and evaluation of five years of implementing communication work on IUU prevention and control, draw lessons learned and propose solutions suitable to practical requirements in the next phase.

With a structured approach, clear tasks and the synchronized involvement of the entire political system, Can Tho city is gradually turning political determination into substantive action, contributing together with the whole country to ending IUU fishing, protecting aquatic resources and building the image of a responsible and credible Viet Nam in the international arena.

Joint Efforts Launched to Raise Awareness of IUU Fishing Prevention in Quang Tri In Quang Tri Province, Flotilla 202 under the Command of Coast Guard Region 2 has coordinated with Trieu Van Border Guard Station of the Quang ...

HCMC: "Morning Coffee with Fishermen" for Prevention and Control of IUU Fishing Ho Chi Minh City’s local authority inform the law on prevention and control of illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing to fishermen with close and ...