Quang Ngai Seizes Large Haul of Explosives Linked to IUU Fishing
	An Giang Combat IUU Fishing Violation by Tightening Boat Management

Following the 5th inspection by the European Commission (EC) on Vietnam's efforts to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, the EC acknowledged Vietnam's progress, particularly in handling cases of violations in foreign waters (Photo: Hong Hoa)

Addressing existing shortcomings and limitations

After nearly nine years of implementing comprehensive measures to combat IUU fishing and address the EC's "yellow card" warning, Vietnam has achieved many important results. These include the basic completion of the legal framework and database serving fisheries management and combating IUU fishing.

The national fisheries database (VNFishbase), the fishing boat monitoring system, the electronic traceability system for seafood, and the database for handling administrative violations in the fisheries sector are all connected, shared uniformly and synchronously from the central to local levels, and interconnected with the national population database (VNeID).

boxFrom the beginning of 2026 to the present, nearly 19,300 boats have departed from and arrived at border control stations; nearly 19,000 boats have entered and exited ports. The traceability of domestically harvested seafood products has been strictly implemented, with the volume of harvested seafood unloaded at ports reaching 7,561 tons. The total volume of seafood for which receipts have been issued is 417 tons, with 93 receipts issued.

In Quang Ngai province, 19 out of 19 tasks assigned by the Prime Minister have been completed. The entire province has announced the opening of 8 fishing ports that meet the requirements for offshore fishing boats to dock and verify the origin of harvested seafood.

These include 5 Type II fishing ports designated for opening by the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (MARD); and 3 fishing ports announced for opening according to Decision No. 4357/QD-BNNMT dated October 21, 2025, of the Minister of MARD, which stipulates temporary regulations on the announcement of opening fishing ports.

According to the Department of Agriculture and Environment, law enforcement and administrative penalties have achieved significant results in recent times, contributing to preventing and minimizing IUU fishing violations. The number of fishing boats violating regulations on illegal fishing in foreign waters has decreased significantly in recent years.

Quang Ngai province currently has 4,859 fishing boats, 100% of which have been registered and updated on VNFishbase. 100% of operating fishing boats are licensed. The 81 fishing boats that do not meet the requirements for license issuance or renewal have been assigned to communes, wards, special zones, functional forces, and management officials for identification and regular monitoring of their mooring locations.

Despite numerous efforts, Quang Ngai province has yet to resolve the issue of disconnection problems with boat monitoring systems (VMS). Since the beginning of 2026, monitoring has detected 9 boats that lost connection for 6 hours, or for more than 10 days at sea, exceeding the permitted fishing boundaries. Consequently, 6 boats were penalized, and 3 boats were fined a total of VND 500 million for exceeding the boundaries.

Speed ​​up the removal of the "yellow card"

During the 5th inspection (from March 9-19, 2026), the EC inspection team noted that Vietnam has made positive progress in combating IUU fishing, especially in handling violations. This has positively impacted the law-abiding behavior of fishermen, resulting in a significant decrease in the number of fishing boats violating IUU fishing regulations, particularly those operating illegally in foreign waters.

However, some shortcomings remain. These include incorrect marking of fishing boats and registration number writing, continued disconnections from the VMS (Vietnam Maritime Search and Rescue System), and inadequate control of fishing boats entering and leaving ports, as well as insufficient monitoring of catch unloaded at ports.

The progress in handling fishing boats violating IUU fishing regulations is slow, lacks coordination among different forces, is not fully updated in the data systemm and does not meet the requirements of the EC.

In response to the urgent need to combat IUU fishing, Quang Ngai province has continued to implement solutions, tighten management of its fishing fleet, and proactively coordinate efforts to prevent IUU fishing violations early and from afar.

Nguyen Hoang Minh Phu, in charge of the Tinh Hoa fishing port and storm shelter management board, noted that to ensure uniformity in management, the port management board has coordinated with the Sa Ky Border Guard Control Station to regularly verify all fishing boats arriving at and departing from the port, as well as the amount of seafood. Absolutely no confirmations or certificates are issued for seafood products that do not meet origin standards or show signs of violating IUU fishing regulations.

Taking responsibility for a key area for inspection and control with a large number of fishing boats entering and leaving the port, the Sa Ky Border Guard Control Station has increased its personnel and equipment, and assigned officers and soldiers to be on duty 24/7 to ensure that all fishing boats going out to sea meet all the necessary conditions in accordance with regulations.

Lieutenant Nguyen Dinh Trung, Head of the Sa Ky Border Guard Control Station, said that combating IUU fishing is a regular and continuous task. Every day, the station assigns two officers in canoes to patrol around the estuary, along the river, and at fishing ports. At the same time, officers are stationed at the fishing ports to coordinate with port management to control boats docking and unloading seafood.

The EC inspection team is expected to visit Vietnam for the sixth time in June 2026 for review. Quang Ngai province will continue to thoroughly address the shortcomings and limitations recommended by the EC during the fifth inspection, and to prevent a recurrence of previous violations.

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