Raising Legal Awareness to Combat IUU Fishing in HCMC
	Combating IUU Fishing: Many Localities Achieve 100% Installation Of Vessel Monitoring Devices

According to the Government Portal, delivering his directive at the meeting, the Prime Minister reaffirmed the unchanged determination and objective in combating IUU fishing and removing the EC’s “yellow card.” He emphasized that this is an unavoidable and urgent task - one that must be accomplished, for the nation’s honor and reputation, for the credibility of the Party and State, for the Vietnamese people’s standing in the international arena, and, ultimately, for the sustainable development of the fisheries sector and the legitimate interests and rights of the people, as well as for progress, fairness, and equality.

The Prime Minister highly appreciated the serious, prompt, and effective working spirit demonstrated by ministries, sectors, and localities, particularly the armed forces, the police, and the Ministries of Agriculture and Environment. He requested that all ministries, sectors, and localities continue to proactively carry out their responsibilities in accordance with their functions, mandates, and authority, guided by the principle of “six clarities”: clarity in personnel, tasks, timelines, responsibilities, authority, and outcomes.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh chairs the 20th meeting of the National Steering Committee for Combating IUU Fishing. (Photo: VGP)

Reviewing Fishing Fleets and Strictly Controlling the Exploitation Chain

The Prime Minister directed a comprehensive review of all fishing vessels. Eligible vessels must be licensed, while those failing to meet requirements must be thoroughly handled in accordance with the law, with firm measures to prevent any violations.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment is tasked with coordinating relevant ministries, agencies, and localities to develop detailed scenarios and technical working plans with the European Commission (EC), to be completed before November 10, 2025. The Ministry will focus on inspecting and guiding key localities, such as An Giang, Ho Chi Minh City, Khanh Hoa, and Gia Lai, to prepare for the EC’s fifth inspection mission, while expanding best practices to other provinces. It must also maintain regular communication with the EC, providing full updates, and report to the Government, the Prime Minister, and Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha on matters beyond its jurisdiction.

The Ministry will also coordinate with the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Construction to strictly control imported aquatic materials entering Vietnam under the Port State Measures Agreement (PSMA) and via container ships, ensuring the complete prevention of IUU-sourced seafood from entering the domestic market. Additionally, the Ministry will promote cooperation with other countries in marine fisheries exploitation.

The Ministry of National Defense will direct Viettel Group to lead and coordinate with relevant ministries, agencies, and localities to promptly complete the full digitization of fishing vessel management and IUU prevention. The Ministry will also order all forces to strictly control fishing vessels entering and exiting border checkpoints in accordance with regulations and resolutely ban unqualified vessels from operating. A nationwide high-intensity inspection campaign will be launched, particularly in southern key areas, with increased sea patrols to detect and handle “three-no” vessels (without registration, inspection, or fishing license).

The Ministry of Public Security will finalize and launch an application for managing fishing vessels and fishermen through VNeID, to be completed before November 10, 2025. It will continue to lead inspections and guide localities in handling IUU-violating fishing vessels, both administrative and criminal. The Ministry will expedite investigations and strengthen documentation to prosecute IUU violations in accordance with the law. It will also investigate and clarify reports of Vietnamese fishing vessels, fishermen, or brokers operating illegally in foreign waters, and report to the Prime Minister before November 15, 2025.

Supporting Fishermen and Enhancing Communication

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will continue to engage with the EC and regional countries, providing timely updates on Vietnam’s activities and achievements in combating IUU fishing. It will promote negotiations on bilateral fisheries cooperation agreements and establish mechanisms to control fishing activities by Vietnamese vessels in overlapping maritime areas with Malaysia. The Ministry will also collect and compile data on Vietnamese fishermen involved in IUU fishing in foreign waters who have been repatriated, so that competent authorities can take appropriate action.

Coastal localities must strictly control fishing vessels entering and leaving ports, resolutely banning unqualified vessels from operating, while painting registration markings and numbers on all fishing boats, to be completed by November 15, 2025. Fishing vessel data must be updated and synchronized across VNFishbase, VMS, VNeID, and the Border Guard management system.

Localities must also review and verify traceability records for exploited seafood and impose strict penalties on vessels violating voyage monitoring device regulations, crossing boundaries, fishing in foreign waters, or failing to land catches at designated ports.

The Government will support fishermen with three months of food assistance during the occupational transition period, and local authorities are instructed to intensify public communication campaigns to encourage compliance with IUU regulations.

The media and press agencies will continue strengthening coverage and communication efforts on IUU prevention, highlighting exemplary fishermen, law enforcement officers, and businesses who actively comply with regulations.

Associations and enterprises are required to strictly comply with the ban on purchasing, processing, or exporting seafood products originating from IUU fishing. They are also encouraged to promote and commend model members and fishermen who demonstrate exemplary compliance.

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