Modern Technology Implemented in Crackdown on IUU Fishing

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Fishermen Confidently Head Offshore

Da Nang fishermen are entering the peak fishing season of the year, and preparations for offshore voyages on each fishing vessel have seen major changes.

At Tho Quang fishing port in Son Tra Ward, in addition to checking fishing gear and fuel supplies, many boat owners are carefully reviewing vessel monitoring system (VMS) equipment and updating fishing logs before departure.

Fisherman Nguyen Thanh Nam from Thanh Khe Ward said local fishermen are now strictly complying with regulations banning illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing in line with recommendations from the European Commission (EC).

“Fishermen no longer violate maritime boundaries. We only operate in permitted waters and fully comply with the law. Every fishing trip is fully declared, and catches are reported so authorities can inspect and certify the origin of seafood,” Nam shared.

Modern equipment on fishing vessels helps fishermen quickly update and report data while at sea (Photo: danang.gov.vn)

In addition to greater awareness, modern and practical equipment has now been installed in the cabins of fishing vessels, allowing fishermen to quickly update and report data even while offshore.

According to fisherman Tran Vinh from Son Tra Ward, modern science and technology are providing significant support for fishermen during fishing operations, making compliance with regulations much easier and more convenient.

“In the past, we mainly recorded information in notebooks during each trip, which was inconvenient and time-consuming. Now, using software on smartphones makes declarations much faster and easier. Thanks to this, we feel more confident heading offshore and contributing to the fight against IUU fishing,” Vinh said.

Digital technology applications help fishermen confidently head offshore and contribute to anti-IUU efforts (Photo: danang.gov.vn)

Relevant authorities are implementing a range of technological solutions to more strictly monitor fishing vessel activities, especially at anchorage areas and fishing ports.

Every fishing trip now carries not only fishing gear and fuel, but also a digitalized data system. There are no longer “blind” voyages lacking information, as every journey at sea is monitored in real time.

Onshore, the VMS operates 24/7, continuously issuing alerts when fishing vessels show signs of crossing permitted boundaries or losing connection. Lists of vessels at risk of violations are updated daily and sent to authorities for timely inspection and handling.

Comprehensive Digitalization of Fisheries Management

According to the Da Nang Fishing Port and Harbor Management Board, fishing vessel activities are now strictly monitored through data systems from the moment vessels enter and leave ports. The agency is proposing several projects, including the use of electronic cards for vessels entering and leaving anchorage areas.

These cards are integrated with positioning systems to monitor vessel movements. The agency is also stepping up training for officials and workers in digital skills and technology applications, including artificial intelligence (AI), to improve operational efficiency.

Da Nang currently has 4,062 fishing vessels, all of which have been registered and updated in the VnFishbase system. Notably, 100% of fishing vessels measuring 15 meters or longer have installed VMS equipment, a mandatory requirement for legal offshore operations.

Da Nang currently has 4,062 fishing vessels, all registered and updated in the VnFishbase system (Photo: danang.gov.vn)

The city is also deploying the eCDT electronic port entry-exit management system, connecting shared data among relevant agencies. Alongside this is the electronic fishing logbook (eLogbook), which is gradually replacing manual records and helping improve transparency regarding catch volume, fishing grounds and fishing duration.

These modern technology applications enable authorities to more easily detect abnormalities in fishing activities.

Through inspections of 1,347 records, authorities identified 238 fishing logs with inconsistencies related to catch volume, fishing grounds and fishing time. These figures show that when data is digitalized and cross-checked through interconnected systems, even minor discrepancies become difficult to conceal from monitoring technology.

According to the Sub-Department of Seas, Islands and Fisheries under the Department of Agriculture and Environment, the city’s fisheries sector is accelerating digital transformation and gradually building a modern and transparent management system covering fishing operations and traceability. The city aims to establish a fully digitalized and modern fisheries management ecosystem.

Specifically, in fisheries exploitation, the city has applied electronic logbooks and the eCDT confirmation system. All fishing data from fishermen are updated into the management database.

Through the vessel monitoring system, the sub-department can track vessel locations, the number of vessels operating at sea and those returning to shore in real time.

In addition, traceability systems are being implemented through aquaculture area coding. By scanning QR codes, authorities can identify complete information about location, farming area, species and production output. These are considered important steps in the digital transformation of the fisheries sector.

Strong Measures Against IUU Fishing

At the beginning of 2026, the Da Nang People’s Committee issued Official Dispatch No. 01/CD-UBND on continuing to strengthen anti-IUU fishing efforts across the city.

Accordingly, the Chairman of the People’s Committee requested departments, agencies and localities to continue thoroughly implementing Directive No. 32-CT/TW dated April 10, 2024 of the Secretariat, along with directives on combating IUU fishing and promoting sustainable fisheries development in the city. Authorities were instructed to resolutely “declare war” on IUU fishing, maximize time and resources, and regularly carry out urgent and key tasks.

The Department of Agriculture and Environment was tasked with reviewing all completed administrative violation cases involving loss of VMS connection or crossing permitted fishing boundaries from 2024 to the present.

Many anti-IUU messages are being communicated to fishermen by Border Guard forces (Photo: danang.gov.vn)

Authorities are also strictly implementing inspection and control procedures through digital platforms for vessel departures and arrivals, monitoring seafood unloading volumes at ports, collecting fishing and transshipment logs, and tracing seafood origins. Violations, once detected, are to be handled promptly in coordination with relevant agencies.

In addition, authorities are focusing on reviewing and cross-checking fishing vessel information with the national population database to ensure vessel data is accurate, complete, clean and regularly updated in the VNFishbase database. Food safety certificate information is also being updated on the eCDT system after being issued by competent agencies for regulatory monitoring.

The city Border Guard Command has been assigned to coordinate inspections and monitoring of fishing vessel activities. Border guard stations and checkpoints along the coast have been instructed to closely monitor vessels operating in local waters, especially vessels lacking operational conditions, deregistered vessels and “three-no” vessels - those without registration, inspection certificates or fishing licenses. Such vessels are prohibited from leaving ports or heading offshore.

Most recently, the city People’s Committee issued another directive requesting continued implementation of anti-IUU fishing measures.

Following conclusions by Deputy Prime Minister Ho Quoc Dung at the 34th meeting of the National Steering Committee on anti-IUU fishing and directions from the Government Inspectorate, the city assigned the Department of Agriculture and Environment and the city Inspectorate to strengthen inspections and supervision of compliance with anti-IUU regulations.

Relevant agencies were instructed to promptly and effectively implement urgent and key tasks and quickly resolve all remaining issues related to anti-IUU efforts in the city. During implementation, they must also promptly advise the city People’s Committee on handling matters beyond their authority.

Thanks to modern scientific and technological applications, each fishing trip by Da Nang fishermen is now not only a livelihood journey but also a voyage managed through law enforcement technology.

The city’s efforts are not only aimed at meeting anti-IUU requirements, but also at building a modern and sustainable fisheries industry.

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