Ha Tinh Tightens Fight Against Illegal Fishing, Aims to Lift IUU Yellow Card
	Lam Dong Steps Up IUU Fight, Aims for Sustainable Fisheries

According to VNA, Le Huu Toan, Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment of An Giang and Deputy Head of the provincial IUU Steering Committee, said that after the EC’s fifth inspection, the province organized the implementation of EC recommendations focusing on four main areas: improving the legal framework, managing and monitoring fishing vessel activities, ensuring traceability of exploited seafood, and enforcing the law and handling violations.

Border Guard forces inspect the operation of the fishing vessel monitoring system. (Photo: VNA)

Accordingly, the province has developed and implemented a plan to carry out EC recommendations, clearly classifying tasks, setting implementation roadmaps, defining responsibilities and deadlines, and ensuring effectiveness in compliance with legal regulations. An inter-agency task force has been established, while management mechanisms are being reviewed and improved, especially for vessels from 12 meters to under 15 meters, and non-compliant vessels are being definitively handled.

To date, 100% of fishing vessels have been updated to the national Vnfishbase database, totaling 10,878 vessels, and all vessels have installed vessel monitoring systems (VMS) as required.

An Giang is strictly controlling 645 vessels that are not eligible for operation and not allowing them to go to sea, while strengthening enforcement. Over the past two years, total fines related to illegal fishing and VMS violations have reached nearly 60 billion VND, with 55 criminal cases prosecuted. The province is also promoting livelihood transition for fishermen towards sustainable development.

Agencies and units in Lam Dong province organize mock trials to raise awareness among fishermen about combating IUU fishing. (Photo: Lam Dong Newspaper)

According to Lam Dong Newspaper, the management of the provincial fishing fleet has been tightened, with 100% of vessels updated on Vnfishbase and over 99% of vessels 15 meters and above equipped with VMS. Vessels that are not eligible are centrally managed and not allowed to leave ports.

The locality has stepped up communication efforts, organizing mock trials on IUU and requiring fishermen to sign commitments not to violate foreign waters. Since the beginning of 2026, no cases of vessels losing VMS connection have been recorded. Enforcement has been carried out strictly, with dozens of violations sanctioned.

Based on closely following the recommendations of the EC IUU inspection delegation after its working visit to Vietnam from March 10 to 19, Lam Dong will continue to focus on strict management and monitoring of both operating vessels and those anchored ashore not engaged in fishing activities.

Regarding traceability of exploited seafood, the provincial fishing port management boards have strengthened coordination with relevant forces and units to use camera surveillance systems, monitor output, and compare fishing logs with VMS data. Cases of disconnection or abnormal signs are transferred to competent authorities for handling. In law enforcement and handling violations, the province is accelerating the processing of violating vessels and prioritizing administrative sanctions for IUU fishing to ensure deterrence and strictness of the law.

At the same time, Lam Dong is accelerating the implementation of policies supporting fishermen, such as subsidies for satellite-based vessel monitoring service fees, livelihood transition, and reducing fishing pressure. Based on approved programs, including the marine aquaculture development plan of Lam Dong to 2030 with a vision to 2045; the project on livelihood transition associated with restructuring the fishing fleet and applying digital technology in seafood exploitation to 2030; and the sustainable fisheries development plan for 2026–2030 with orientation to 2045, the province aims to restructure the fisheries sector towards modernization and sustainability.

In Da Nang, the locality has completed all EC recommendations on combating IUU fishing. More than 4,000 fishing vessels are managed under a monitoring system with 24/7 tracking. Fishing ports have applied technology, allowing only vessels that complete electronic declarations to enter and leave ports.

The city currently has 25 seafood exporting enterprises, including four exporting to the European market, all under strict control of raw material origin. In the first quarter of 2026, total catch reached about 30,000 tons.

Da Nang has also issued a fisheries development support policy for the 2026–2030 period with an estimated budget of over 60 billion VND, including support for vessel insurance, monitoring equipment, livelihood transition, and removal of non-compliant vessels.

Localities have identified combating IUU fishing as a long-term task that requires consistent implementation, linked with restructuring the fisheries sector towards modernization, transparency, and sustainability, contributing to the country’s efforts to soon remove the EC “yellow card.”

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