Enhancing Regional Coordination in Fisheries Management and Combating IUU Fishing
	Digital Technology in Fishing Vessel Monitoring: The Key to Combating IUU Fishing

When Fishermen Master Digital Technology

At Lach Hoi fishing port (Thanh Hoa Province), the inspection and monitoring of fishing vessels have become much more convenient thanks to the adoption of digital technology and the eCDT electronic traceability system. Fishermen are guided to install and use the electronic fishing logbook application, replacing traditional handwritten records. This not only simplifies their reporting process but also enables management agencies to track and supervise fishing activities in accordance with legal regulations, thereby preventing illegal operations.

Pham Gia Thuong, owner of a 19.5-meter fishing vessel from Sam Son Ward, Thanh Hoa, is required to record his fishing activities in a logbook. Two months ago, he attended a training session organized by the Lach Hoi Fishing Port Management Board, where he learned how to use the electronic logbook and install the “Electronic Fisheries Traceability System” application on his smartphone.

“The electronic logbook offers many advantages over the traditional one. After logging in on the phone, the system automatically updates information such as coordinates, vessel position, and fish species once the catch is declared. Upon returning to port, instead of submitting a paper logbook, I just open the app on my smartphone to send all data on fishing location and catch volume. It saves a lot of time,” Thuong shared.

Using the eCDT VN software allows fishermen to fulfill departure and arrival declarations and report catch volumes quickly, conveniently, and accurately, while minimizing errors in their fishing records.

Le Van Han, head of Lach Hoi Fishing Port (under the Thanh Hoa Fishing Port Management Board), said that all registration and verification procedures for vessel departures and arrivals are now processed through the software, making operations far more efficient. In the coming period, the port will continue to promote the use of electronic logbooks among fishermen to enhance management, monitoring, and catch supervision, ensuring traceability compliance with regulations and meeting EC recommendations on combating IUU fishing.

Alongside Thanh Hoa, the atmosphere at Lach Quen Fishing Port (Quynh Luu Commune, Nghe An Province) is equally bustling across the seafood unloading area. While crew members are busy bringing fish ashore after long offshore trips, vessel owner To Huy Hung, captain of NA 92888 TS, carefully operates his smartphone to declare port arrivals and departures, catch volumes, and the vessel’s route using the eCDT software.

He shared: “At first, I was really confused. I didn’t know how to access the app or what sections to fill out. But after a few times receiving guidance from port officers, I got used to it. Electronic reporting really saves time.”

Not only Hung but also an increasing number of fishermen in Nghe An are gradually adopting and mastering the eCDT software. From the traditional habit of handwriting logbooks, recording catch volumes, and manually completing port procedures, they are now shifting to digital operations on smartphones. This change not only makes fishermen more proactive but also establishes a unified data foundation that supports management, traceability, and certification of seafood products in compliance with international requirements.

Contributing to Removal of “Yellow Card”

One of the key objectives of implementing the eCDT system is to support Vietnam’s efforts to lift the IUU “yellow card” imposed by the European Commission (EC) several years ago. The EC requires all seafood-exporting countries to the European market to provide clear proof of origin and to ensure that their products are not sourced from illegal, unreported, or unregulated fishing activities.

Therefore, the application of the eCDT software helps establish a transparent data chain that supports the verification of catch volumes and the issuance of certificates of origin for seafood purchasing enterprises. As a result, administrative procedures are completed more quickly, reducing the burden on both management authorities and fishermen. This is an important condition for Vietnam’s seafood industry to expand into international markets with more competitive prices.

Fishermen unload seafood at Lach Quen Fishing Port.

According to Phan Tien Chuong, Director of the Nghe An Fishing Port Management Board, to ensure traceability is implemented uniformly and effectively, the board has organized numerous training sessions and direct instructions for fishermen, vessel owners, and enterprises on how to use the eCDT software. The training covers procedures such as vessel arrival and departure declarations, catch volume updates, electronic logbook entries, and the creation of applications for catch verification and certification of seafood origin.

“Since the beginning of 2024, we have issued more than 800 software accounts for fishing vessels in the province. At designated fishing ports, most fishermen have switched to electronic reporting. This marks a significant step forward, demonstrating the province’s determination to digitally transform the fisheries sector,” Chuong affirmed.

With the eCDT software, fishermen can proactively declare their routes and catches in a transparent and timely manner. Management bodies such as the Sub-Department of Fisheries, the Border Guard Command, and the Fishing Port and Storm Shelter Management Board can update data in real time, making it easier to monitor vessels and detect any irregularities in fishing activities.

“Previously, obtaining a catch verification could take half a day of handwriting and waiting for officers to check. Now, with just a few taps on the software, the data is readily available. Certification for enterprises has also become faster and more convenient,” Chuong added.

Although the initial results are promising, the implementation of eCDT still faces several challenges. The first lies in human factors, most fishermen are not yet familiar with digital technology and have limited device-handling skills. In addition, many still use older smartphones that lack sufficient configuration to run the application or frequently malfunction due to humid working conditions and seawater corrosion.

Moreover, when vessels operate in offshore areas with weak or no internet connection, data updates can be disrupted. Meanwhile, the eCDT software requires relatively frequent reporting, and delays in data submission may affect the verification of catch volumes after a trip.

Nevertheless, in practice, the eCDT software is proving to be more than just a temporary measure to remove the “yellow card”, it represents a foundation for modernizing the entire fisheries industry. Once the entire process, from harvesting to consumption, is fully digitized, Vietnam will have a transparent value chain that enhances the reputation and global value of its marine products.

Enhancing Regional Coordination in Fisheries Management and Combating IUU Fishing At the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh emphasized the importance of strengthening coordination between Vietnam and its neighboring countries ...

Digital Technology in Fishing Vessel Monitoring: The Key to Combating IUU Fishing From vessel monitoring systems (VMS) and electronic logbook software to the national fisheries database, digital technology is becoming an “extended arm” that helps Vietnam control ...