Joint Measures by Fishermen and Border Guards to Combat IUU Fishing

	Quang Tri Tightens Control of Vessels to Combat IUU Fishing
	Khanh Hoa Enhances Communication and Inspection to Prevent IUU Fishing Violations

Full procedures for safe sailing

At Hong Trieu fishing port (Duy Nghia commune, Da Nang city), upon the warning of storm No. 15, and all fishermen are asked to leave the vessel after bringing the ship to safe anchorage. According to ship owner Pham Minh Nghia, all fishing vessels are strictly inspected by the Cua Dai Border Guard before leaving port. Ships are only allowed to set sail when they fully meet the requirements of vehicle monitoring equipment (VMS), communication information, registration, inspection and valid crew list, cited VNA.

"Now all ship owners strictly comply with these regulations," Nghia said.

In Lam Dong, fisherman Pham Tieu (Phan Thiet ward), owner of the BTh 99792 TS ship, completes all procedures at Phan Thiet Fishing Port and Phan Thiet Border Control Station before sailing. He is informed and instructed on fisheries law and anti-IUU regulations. Thanks to regular guidance, he and many fishermen in the area no longer use explosives, electric shocks or violate foreign waters.

Fisheries Surveillance Team No. 3 propagates against IUU fishing to fishermen at An Hoa fishing port (Photo: Da Nang Newspaper, Radio and Television).

According to Chairman of Duy Nghia Commune People's Committee Pham Duoc, the locality currently has nearly 290 fishing boats. The "3 no" situation (no registration, no inspection, no fishing license) has ended. For a modern and sustainable fishing industry, the local fishermen are requested to upgrade their boats, install preservation equipment, and confirm the origin of aquatic products when arriving at port.

Colonel Tran Tien Hien, Commander of the Da Nang City Border Guard Command emphasized the regular task of implementing Directive No. 1 of the Da Nang City People's Committee on strengthening leadership and direction to thoroughly resolve existing problems and limitations in combating IUU fishing in Da Nang City. During the peak period of November 2025, Da Nang City Border Guard units completed departure procedures and combined propaganda for 640 fishing vessels with 3,420 fishermen participating.

The stations coordinated nearly 50 patrols at sea, completing import and export procedures for 1,638 ships/17,130 workers, contributing significantly to preventing illegal seafood exploitation. Through inspection, the border guards discovered 4 ships violating, including: no recording of fishing logs, late registration, and captains without diplomas/certificates. The violating ship owners were fined nearly VND 60 million and must correct before resuming operations.

Outreach effort to raise awareness

Border guards closely guide fishermen to register fishing boats, record fishing logs, VMS operating rules, sea boundaries and penalties for violations (Photo: VNA).

Thanh Hai Border Guard Station (Lam Dong Provincial Border Guard) manages nearly 30 km of coastline, with 1,457 vehicles and 9,291 fishing workers. Lieutenant Colonel Vo Duy Thanh, Head of Thanh Hai Border Guard Station, said that raising awareness is a top and regular task. During the peak period from August 12 to now, the method has changed a lot, focusing not only on holding meetings but also "going to the place, meeting one-on-one". Border guards boarded the boats, went down to the fishing villages, guided fishermen to register fishing boats, record fishing logs, VMS operating rules, sea boundaries, and penalties for violations.

There is also cooperation with the local authorities to check high-risk vessels, assigning 5 officers at the Phu Hai and Phan Thiet Border Control Stations to monitor 7 vessels at risk of violating foreign waters. Officers and party members regularly monitor the vessels and fishermen's families to promptly prevent any intention of crossing the border.

Since the beginning of 2025, the unit has organized 146 sessions on fisheries law and IUU, attracting about 4,000 fishermen; 890 ship owners and captains signed a commitment not to violate foreign waters. During the peak period, 48 sessions were organized with 3,456 participants.

Fisherman Nguyen Gat, owner of the BTh 97959 TS boat, shared that many people used to sail without knowing the procedures.

"At first, we were worried, but with regular guidance from the Border Guard, Fisheries Inspectorate and ward officials, now we know everything. We consider it a responsibility of the profession," said Nguyen Gat.

The patrol teams inspected the vehicles regularly, focusing on registration papers, fishing licenses, VMS and fishing logbooks. Since the peak period, Thanh Hai Border Guard Station has registered and inspected 4,593 vessels with 30,057 workers; organized 74 anti-IUU inspection trips, required 176 ship owners and captains to sign a commitment not to violate foreign waters; coordinated with the Fisheries Control Station No. II to patrol 45 sessions with 136 officers and soldiers.

During the patrol, the unit discovered and handled 22 violations with a total fine of more than VND 700 million, of which 8 cases of trawlers operating on the wrong route were handled with a fine of VND 400 million. Since 2017, in Thanh Hai, there have been no records of fishing vessels or fishermen violating foreign waters. The rate of maintaining VMS connection is high, and many risks of IUU violations have been detected and prevented early.

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