Combating IUU Fishing: Many Localities Achieve 100% Installation Of Vessel Monitoring Devices

	Digital Technology in Fishing Vessel Monitoring: The Key to Combating IUU Fishing
	Addressing IUU "Yellow Card": Ca Mau Intensifies Efforts to Tackle Violations

According to Le Van Su, Vice Chairman of the Ca Mau Provincial People’s Committee, the province currently has 5,230 fishing vessels, all 1,930 offshore boats having been equipped with vessel monitoring systems (VMS), reaching 100%. Notably, Ca Mau no longer has any so-called “three-no” vessels, those without registration, certification, or fishing licenses.

All offshore fishing vessels in Ca Mau have been equipped with vessel monitoring systems (VMS)

In the first ten months of the year, Ca Mau spent more than VND 7.5 billion to subsidize VMS service fees for over 7,000 vessel trips. At the same time, the province is drafting a resolution to support the installation of new monitoring devices to ensure 24/7 connectivity, including when vessels are anchored at port.

In addition, since the beginning of the year, authorities have handled 470 administrative violations in the fisheries sector, imposing fines totaling more than VND 10 billion, including 43 cases involving the disconnection of VMS devices. All cases have been recorded in the management system to ensure transparency.

At the criminal level, the province has launched investigations into 11 cases, mainly related to violations in foreign waters, the use of falsified documents, and illegal exit and entry activities. To date, six cases have gone to trial, including four mobile court hearings, while the remaining five are expected to be completed before November 15, 2025.

In Hai Phong, a representative of the Fisheries Port Authority under the Department of Agriculture and Environment said that 100% of fishing vessels entering and leaving Ngoc Hai Port are inspected and monitored in accordance with regulations. Each vessel must present its fishing logbook, VMS voyage data, and unloading records, all verified through the electronic catch documentation system (eCDT).

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Phung Duc Tien. (Photo: Ca Mau Provincial E-Portal)

According to the municipal People’s Committee, as of September 2025, Hai Phong had 820 fishing vessels, all of which have been registered, certified, and licensed. The city has eliminated “three-no” vessels. More than 95% of vessels have been granted fishing licenses, while all 283 boats measuring 15 meters or longer have been equipped with VMS devices, ensuring 24/7 connectivity. Enforcement forces strictly monitor vessel departures, prohibiting any boat from leaving port unless it meets operational requirements, thereby tightening fisheries management in line with international standards.

In Ninh Binh province, efforts to combat IUU fishing have been implemented comprehensively, with close coordination among the Department of Agriculture and Environment, the Border Guard Command, the police, the Fisheries Port Authority, and local authorities. As a result, 100% of fishing vessels in the province have been equipped with VMS devices, with connectivity maintained at over 97%. No vessels depart port without proper declaration, and issuance of catch origin certificates is conducted in accordance with regulations, helping ensure transparency across the seafood value chain.

A notable highlight is the strong adoption of digital transformation in fisheries management. VMS data, electronic fishing logbooks, and port arrival-departure information are updated in real time, enabling authorities to monitor all fishing vessel activities and ensure transparent traceability, meeting the European Commission’s stringent requirements.

Speaking at a working session with the Ca Mau Provincial People’s Committee on October 31, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Phung Duc Tien emphasized Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s directive to accelerate and intensify measures to combat IUU fishing. He stated that, within the coming week, localities must complete licensing for eligible vessels, ensure 100% installation of vessel monitoring systems, and put an end to VMS disconnections. This also includes completing traceability documentation, standardizing the national fisheries database, and ensuring that eligible fishing ports are placed on the approved list.

Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien requested that Ca Mau and other coastal provinces thoroughly prepare dossiers and evidence to support the European Commission’s inspection mission, underscoring Vietnam’s determination to have the “yellow card” lifted. He stressed that this is a key and ongoing political task, essential to safeguarding the reputation and brand of Vietnamese seafood in the global market.

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