Ha Tinh Continues to Address Remaining Issues in Combating IUU Fishing

Ha Tinh province is focusing on reviewing and addressing shortcomings in the fight against illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing following the 5th inspection by the European Commission (EC).

Fanasy Nguyen Le

April 25, 2026 | 13:16

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Following their field visit to Vietnam in March, the EC inspection team noted that significant progress had been made in combating IUU (Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated) fishing. The application of information technology in management and operations control of fishing boats, and traceability of seafood continued to be promoted, contributing to increased transparency and legality of domestic seafood resources. However, shortcomings and limitations remain in monitoring, controlling, handling fishing boats that violate regulations, supervising and tracing the origin of seafood.

Based on the directives from the Government and the Prime Minister, Ha Tinh province is currently focusing on implementing a comprehensive set of solutions to address the remaining issues recommended by the EC.

For instance, Dan Hai commune currently has 163 fishing boats and one designated fishing port (Xuan Hoi fishing port). Over the past period, the fight against IUU fishing in the area has been implemented relatively comprehensively and in strict adherence to regulations.

However, some limitations related to the operation of tracking devices, the low rate of regular use of electronic seafood traceability software (eCDT) still remain. Also, compliance with regulations on registration and inspection needs improvement. Ha Tinh province is focusing on implementing various solutions to quickly overcome these shortcomings.

Ha Tinh Continues to Address Remaining Issues in Combating IUU Fishing

Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Dan Hai commune Tran Nguyen Ngoc said that Dan Hai commune is reviewing and strictly managing fishing boats with a length of 6 meters or more.

"The commune requires boat owners to consider and fully complete registration and inspection procedures before participating in fishing; and increasing the rate of using eCDT software. Along with that, the commune is strengthening coordination with higher-level agencies to gradually improve infrastructure and enhance the capacity to monitor catch volume and verify the origin of seafood locally,” said Tran Nguyen Ngoc.

The application of eCDT software has been identified as one of the key solutions to improve the traceability system for seafood (Photo: Baohatinh.vn).

At Cua Sot fishing port, the Management Board of fishing ports and storm shelter areas of Ha Tinh province is implementing a comprehensive eCDT software system and a fishing boat monitoring system. This is the practical effort to enhance the management of fishing activities and meet the requirements of combating IUU fishing.

The application of eCDT software has been identified as one of the key solutions to improve the traceability system for seafood, contributing to the nationwide effort to lift the "yellow card" warning and create a foundation for sustainable fisheries development. From the beginning of 2026 to the present, the province has seen 3,485 boat departures and 3,384 boat arrivals using the eCDT system, with a total seafood volume of 419 tons.

Deputy Director of the Management Board of Fishing Ports and Storm Shelters for Fishing Boats in Ha Tinh Than Quoc Te stated that the operation' goal is to allocate resources and implement the synchronized declaration and data entry of fishing activities on the eCDT system for 100% of fishing boats entering and leaving ports; monitoring catch volumes as a basis for traceability,

"Issuing certificates of origin for aquatic products (SC certificates) and certificates of origin for aquatic products (CC certificates) are conducted at all fishing ports in the province. At the same time, we review, compare, and ensure data consistency among relevant functional forces, and synchronize with the database system of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment," said Than Quoc Te.

Dan Hai commune is reviewing and strictly managing fishing boats with a length of 6 meters or more (Photo: Baohatinh.vn).

Addressing shortcomings in combating IUU fishing following the 5th EC inspection, the Department of Agriculture and Environment continues to lead and coordinate with relevant departments, sectors, and localities to establish an inter-agency task force and conduct inspections in communes and wards with fishing boats including: Co Dam, Dan Hai, Loc Ha, Thach Ha, Thien Cam, Cam Trung, Hai Ninh, Hoanh Son, Song Tri, and the Management Board of fishing ports and storm shelters for fishing boats in Ha Tinh.

The inspection focused on important tasks, namely the management of fishing boats; registration, inspection, and installation of tracking devices; control of entry and departure at ports; traceability of seafood; and direct guidance in resolving sudden difficulties and obstacles.

Fully updating the list of deregistered ones and those at high risk of violating IUU fishing regulations on the VMS system continue to be the focus (Photo: Baohatinh.vn).

Deputy Head of the Fisheries Sub-Department (Department of Agriculture and Environment) Nguyen Trong Nhat stated that strict management the fishing boats, including fully updating the list of deregistered ones and those at high risk of violating IUU fishing regulations on the VMS system, continue to be the focus.

Ha Tinh province is striving to overcome limitations in seafood traceability, contributing to the nationwide effort to lift the EC's "yellow card" warning (Photo: Baohatinh.vn).

"We strengthen guidance to localities on information and communication to fishermen, prioritizing the docking of fishing boats 6 meters or longer at fishing ports for unloading seafood, facilitating the monitoring of production throughout the province. In addition, functional forces are strengthening the matching of data on entry and departure at ports and docks through border guard posts and stations; ensuring that fisheries activities must have port departure confirmations in accordance with regulations. The 24/7 operation of the tracking system continues to be maintained to promptly collect and process data, serving the managing, tracing origins, and handling violations,” said Nguyen Trong Nhat.

The registration and inspection monitoring is implemented synchronously, ensuring that fishermen going out to sea comply well with relevant regulations (Photo: Baohatinh.vn).

With the synchronized implementation of solutions from the provincial to the grassroots level, Ha Tinh is striving to thoroughly overcome the shortcomings in combating IUU fishing. This contributes to the nationwide effort to lift the EC's "yellow card" warning, moving towards sustainable, responsible, and internationally integrated fisheries development.

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