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Raising awareness among fishermen

A task force from Quynh Phuong Border Guard Station steps up inspection and monitoring at the estuary. (Photo: Bien Cuong - Border Guard Newspaper)

Nghe An province has a long coastline and vast fishing grounds, with thousands of fishing vessels from localities and other provinces operating in its waters. Therefore, managing fishing activities requires the coordinated involvement of multiple forces. The Nghe An Provincial Border Guard has identified the fight against IUU fishing as an important, regular and long-term task, contributing to the development of a sustainable fisheries sector and joining nationwide efforts to have the “yellow card” warning on Vietnam’s seafood industry lifted.

To combat IUU fishing, the Border Guard considers communication and mobilization of fishermen a fundamental solution. In recent years, coastal border guard units have proactively coordinated with local authorities and relevant agencies to organize numerous legal awareness campaigns for fishermen. In coastal areas such as Cua Lo ward, Dien Chau commune, and Hoang Mai ward, border guard officers and soldiers regularly conduct sessions to disseminate regulations on fisheries exploitation and IUU prevention, while guiding fishermen on maintaining fishing logs and installing and operating vessel monitoring systems.

Border guard stations including Quynh Phuong, Quynh Thuan, Dien Thanh, and the Cua Lo–Ben Thuy port border gate maintain regular communication activities at fishing ports, landing sites, and coastal residential areas. In addition to group sessions, border guard officers also directly visit vessel owners and fishermen’s households to provide specific guidance.

An important focus is organizing commitments for vessel owners to pledge not to engage in IUU fishing or encroach upon foreign waters, thereby helping fishermen clearly understand their legal responsibilities at sea. Alongside communication efforts, the Border Guard has strengthened strict control over vessels entering and leaving ports. At border guard control stations, fishing vessels must complete all required procedures before departure. Officers check documents, crew lists, and monitoring equipment, and remind fishermen to strictly comply with regulations while operating at sea.

Colonel Ho Quyet Thang, Deputy Commander and Chief of Staff of the Nghe An Provincial Border Guard, said: “Through inspection and supervision, vessels that do not meet regulatory requirements are not allowed to leave port. For deliberate violations, the Border Guard coordinates with relevant authorities to document and strictly handle them in accordance with the law.”

A task force from Dien Thanh Border Guard Station inspects the documents of a fishing vessel before it departs for offshore operations. (Photo: Bien Cuong - Border Guard Newspaper)

Accompanying fishermen at sea

Beyond management and control duties, the Nghe An Provincial Border Guard also actively supports fishermen during their offshore operations. Through communication systems with vessels at sea, border guard stations regularly provide weather forecasts, disaster warnings, and guidance on maritime boundaries to help fishermen avoid violations. In cases where vessels encounter problems, the Border Guard promptly coordinates search and rescue operations, assisting fishermen in bringing both people and vessels safely back to shore.

These practical efforts help fishermen feel more secure when going offshore, while strengthening public trust in the border protection forces. Nguyen Van Vinh from Hoang Mai ward shared: “In addition to legal awareness activities, the Border Guard pays close attention to fishermen’s operations at sea. Units are always ready to provide support and carry out search and rescue missions when vessels face incidents at sea.”

Border guard units also actively participate in supporting fishermen through activities such as distributing national flags and life jackets, and promoting the protection of aquatic resources, thereby fostering awareness of sustainable fishing practices. Efforts to combat IUU fishing are also closely linked to Vietnam’s commitment to addressing the European Commission’s “yellow card” warning on its fisheries sector. Border guard units have proactively coordinated with the fisheries sector, local authorities, and relevant forces to implement synchronized measures, including strict vessel management, control of port entry and exit, vessel reviews and data updates, and enhanced maritime patrol and control.

Thanks to the determined involvement of various forces, particularly the core role of the Border Guard, fishing activities in Nghe An province have increasingly come into order. Fishermen are not only improving the efficiency of their offshore operations but also raising their awareness of legal compliance, contributing to the development of a sustainable fisheries sector.

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