Prime Minister Calls for Determined Efforts to Lift IUU “Yellow Card” by April 2026
	Ministry of Science and Technology Reviews Tech Infrastructure to Combat IUU Fishing in Ho Chi Minh City

To date, 100% of fishing vessels eligible to operate in the province, totaling 4,123 vessels, have completed registration and been granted fishing licenses in accordance with regulations. With this result, Quang Ninh has become one of four localities nationwide to complete fishing license issuance ahead of schedule, making an important contribution to the country’s overall efforts to remove the European Commission’s “yellow card” warning.

Officers and soldiers of Quang Duc Border Guard Station disseminate and explain regulations on combating IUU fishing to fishermen during inspections and controls at sea. (Photo: QMG)

Entering 2026, Quang Ninh continues to identify the fight against IUU fishing as a key, priority, and urgent political task, requiring synchronized and unified implementation from the provincial level to grassroots. The overarching goals are to resolutely prevent the emergence of fishing vessels violating foreign waters; ensure that 100% of fishing vessels 15 meters or longer maintain continuous operation of vessel monitoring system (VMS) equipment; and ensure that 100% of captured aquatic product output is controlled through ports. At the same time, the province focuses on improving institutions and support mechanisms, while strictly handling IUU violations, especially breaches related to VMS regulations.

Alongside tighter management, Quang Ninh continues to sustainably maintain core aspects of fisheries management, including reviewing, inventorying, marking, registering, inspecting, and licensing fishing vessels; certifying and committing to food safety; installing and synchronizing VMS equipment; and fully updating data to the National Fisheries Database System (VNFishbase), ensuring the requirements of accuracy, cleanliness, real-time updates, consistency, and shared use. Inspection and control are carried out for 100% of fishing vessels and aquatic product output through ports, combined with strict management of dossiers, records, and data serving monitoring, supervision, and violation handling.

At the same time, the province steps up communication, training, and awareness-raising among fishermen on combating IUU fishing; organizes the release of 4-5 million juvenile aquatic species of various kinds into natural waters to regenerate and restore aquatic resources, with socialized funding accounting for over 70%. Quang Ninh also continues to research and propose improvements to mechanisms and policies; attract investment; gradually complete the system of fishing ports, fish markets, and storm shelters; arrange and allocate marine aquaculture zones in line with planning; and promote digital transformation and the application of modern technologies in managing and monitoring fishing activities.

Notably, in 2026, Quang Ninh will organize two peak periods of patrols, inspections, and controls on compliance with IUU fishing regulations in January and February, to best prepare conditions ahead of the European Commission inspection delegation’s fifth visit to Vietnam. At the same time, the province will maintain a 24/7 hotline duty for the protection of aquatic resources, ensuring that 100% of reports are received, checked, verified, and handled promptly in accordance with regulations.

The province will continue to promote activities for the development and regeneration of aquatic resources; mobilize community participation and social resources in restocking activities; assign communities to manage resource protection areas; conduct surveys and assessments of commercial fisheries; organize conservation activities at the Co To - Tran Island Marine Protected Area; and study the development of projects for new marine protected areas. Concurrently, marine aquaculture facilities are encouraged to use industrial feed to reduce pressure on natural resources.

With systematic, resolute, and synchronized measures, Quang Ninh is gradually affirming its role as a leading locality in preventing and combating IUU fishing, toward the goal of developing a sustainable and responsible fisheries sector that meets international integration requirements and the recommendations of the European Commission.

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