EC to Conduct IUU Inspection in Vietnam from March 9-19

	Dong Thap Intensifies Inspections to Combat IUU Fishing
	Fishermen Pledge to Combat IUU on First Trip to the Sea in Year of the Horse

According to the Directorate of Fisheries and Fisheries Surveillance, on February 25, 2026, it received an official letter from the Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (DG-MARE) announcing the tentative working program of the EC Inspection Delegation in Vietnam. The inspection is scheduled to take place from March 9 to 19, 2026.

To ensure thorough, consistent and well-coordinated preparations, the Directorate has requested localities with fishing vessels to urgently prepare concise yet comprehensive reports with logical data and clear explanations. The data must be consistent with the National Fisheries Database System (Vnfishbase) and other relevant systems. Dossiers should be systematically arranged and easily retrievable, with both hard copies and electronic files prepared in parallel and ready to be provided upon request by the Delegation.

Specialized agencies are required to prepare complete documentation relating to vessel registration, inspection and fishing licenses; records of vessels removed from registration; vessels ineligible for operation; vessels not yet marked with registration numbers in accordance with regulations; and lists of berthing locations for vessels that do not meet operational requirements.

The EC will work in Vietnam from March 9-19 on combating IUU fishing. (Photo: VNA)

In addition, localities must prepare lists and case files concerning vessels violating IUU regulations; administrative sanction dossiers for related organizations and individuals (including receipts and proof of fine payment); records of vessel monitoring through the Vessel Monitoring System (VMS); and files on vessels that have lost VMS connection or exceeded permitted maritime boundaries. They are also required to prepare full documentation for catch certification at fishing ports (SC), certificates of catch origin (CC), records of vessel entry and exit control at ports, and supervision of landing volumes.

In Ho Chi Minh City, leaders of the Municipal People’s Committee convened an urgent meeting with relevant departments, sectors and local authorities to implement preparations for receiving the EC Inspection Delegation. According to the plan, Ho Chi Minh City will be the first locality to work with the Delegation during this inspection round.

The Directorate of Fisheries and Fisheries Surveillance has requested the Departments of Agriculture and Environment to assign their leaders to directly oversee the work and to designate experienced officials with thorough knowledge of the data to be ready to work with and provide explanations to the Delegation upon request. The Departments must maintain 24/7 duty arrangements throughout the Delegation’s stay in Vietnam and proactively coordinate closely with the Border Guard, the Police and local authorities to ensure the timely provision of dossiers and documentation.

During the period from March 9 to 19, 2026, localities are required to strictly control vessel departures and arrivals at ports; ensure that 100% of vessels subject to mandatory VMS installation maintain continuous connection; fully supervise fishing output landed through ports; and strictly comply with regulations on catch confirmation and certification of origin. At the same time, they must review and update vessel data on the Vnfishbase and VMS systems to ensure synchronization between paper records and electronic data.

In particular, localities must completely resolve the situation of “three-no” fishing vessels (no registration, no inspection, no license); fully update violation handling records onto the management software; and resolutely refuse departure clearance for vessels that do not meet operational conditions, have not remedied violations, or have lost VMS connection in accordance with regulations. Units must also be prepared for possible surprise inspections by the EC Delegation at fishing ports, anchorage areas and sub-departments of fisheries.

The Directorate has required the implementation of a daily rapid reporting mechanism in order to promptly seek guidance on issues arising beyond local authority, and strictly prevent any incidents of Vietnamese fishing vessels violating foreign waters during the Delegation’s working visit.

Serious and synchronized preparations for this fifth inspection have been identified as a key and urgent task, contributing to efforts to remove the European Commission’s “yellow card” warning against Vietnam’s seafood sector.

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