Bountiful Tuna Season Coupled with Tightened IUU Controls: Khanh Hoa Begins the New Year with Sustainable Fishing
	Ninh Binh Tightens Management of Fishing Vessels, Prepares for the Fifth EC Inspection Mission

The functional forces of Quang Tri province sealed and posted notice boards on fishing vessels that are not eligible for operation. (Photo: People’s Newspaper)

Quang Tri province is focusing on synchronously implementing various solutions to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

The province has also instructed local authorities to urgently review documentation and data, and finalize the necessary conditions to be ready for the upcoming inspection by the European Commission (EC) on efforts to combat IUU fishing.

According to a report from the Quang Tri Department of Agriculture and Environment, the province currently has 4,640 fishing vessels measuring 6 meters or longer. Of these, 2,963 vessels operate in nearshore areas (6–12 meters), 327 vessels in offshore coastal areas (12–15 meters), and 1,350 vessels in offshore waters (15 meters and above).

To date, 100% of fishing vessels have been registered, while the rate of vessel inspection has reached 94.5% (with 92 vessels overdue for inspection). The issuance of fishing licenses has reached 98.6% (65 vessels remain unlicensed), and 96.4% of vessels have obtained food safety certificates, with 48 certificates currently expired.

The installation of vessel monitoring systems (VMS) has been implemented resolutely. At present, 99% of vessels required to install VMS devices have complied, with 14 vessels yet to install the equipment. The monitoring system operates 24/7 to detect early any vessel that loses signal or shows signs of potentially violating foreign maritime boundaries.

A representative of the Quang Tri Fisheries and Fisheries Surveillance Sub-Department said the agency is closely coordinating with relevant forces to strengthen control over fishing vessels entering and leaving ports, monitor vessel movements, and promptly handle violations. Fishing vessels are required to keep their VMS devices operating continuously around the clock, allowing authorities to quickly issue warnings when vessels lose signal or operate near maritime boundaries.

In addition, the Sub-Department is working with local authorities to require vessel owners to address outstanding issues related to documentation, monitoring equipment, and operational conditions to ensure full compliance with IUU fishing regulations.

Quang Tri province has nine announced and operational fishing ports, including five Grade-II ports and four Grade-III ports. Among them, three ports are qualified to certify the origin of harvested seafood, and eight ports have been designated for offshore vessels to dock. These ports have implemented strict supervision of vessels entering and leaving the ports, particularly monitoring nearly 100% of fishing vessels measuring 15 meters or more.

Meanwhile, eight border guard control stations at river mouths maintain strict inspections and monitoring of fishing vessels departing from and returning to wharves. All vessels must be inspected and confirmed before commencing fishing activities.

Coastal localities have also reviewed and managed 120 fishing vessels that do not meet operational requirements. Of these, 18 vessels no longer exist, while 102 vessels remain (65 can rectify their shortcomings, while 37 are unable to operate). These vessels are closely monitored and are not permitted to go to sea until they meet all required conditions.

In the first two months of 2026, the province’s total seafood catch is estimated at 15,941.4 tons, of which marine catches account for 15,123.2 tons. The volume of seafood monitored through fishing ports reached 4,805 tons, accounting for 31.7%, an increase compared to 2025 (nearly 20%).

To prepare for the upcoming EC inspection, the Quang Tri Provincial People’s Committee has issued multiple directives and specific plans outlining the preparation of content, scenarios, and necessary conditions to support the inspection mission reviewing anti-IUU fishing efforts.

Accordingly, the Department of Agriculture and Environment has held working sessions with the Fisheries and Fisheries Surveillance Sub-Department, the Fishing Port Management Board, and relevant units to assign specific responsibilities, review documentation and vessel data, and fully update information on management software systems such as VNFishbase, VMS, and the eCDT system, ensuring data synchronization in accordance with regulations.

Coastal localities are also actively preparing documentation and materials while assigning capable officials to provide information and explanations when working with the EC inspection team. At the same time, they are strengthening the management of fishing vessels and tightening control over fishing activities both at sea and at river mouths and fishing ports.

Earlier, on the morning of March 11, Vice Chairman of the Quang Tri Provincial People’s Committee Le Van Bao and a working delegation inspected the implementation of measures to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing across the province, while also reviewing preparations for the EC inspection.

During field inspections at Mui Ong Fisheries Logistics Service Wharf (Phu Trach commune), Viet Trung Fishing Port (Bac Trach commune), and the sedimentation situation at the river mouth in Dong Trach commune, Le Van Bao requested relevant units and local authorities to continue strengthening communication efforts to help fishermen clearly understand legal regulations and enhance compliance in seafood harvesting activities.

Vice Chairman Le Van Bao also emphasized several key tasks in preparation for the EC inspection, including proactively bringing fishing vessels measuring 15 meters or longer to centralized mooring areas for easier management; strictly managing vessels that do not meet operational conditions and preventing them from going to sea; and requiring fishing ports to strictly implement procedures for monitoring vessels entering and leaving ports, granting departure clearance, and tracing the origin of seafood.

He stressed that compliance with legal regulations in seafood harvesting should not be limited to the period of the EC inspection but must be implemented consistently, decisively, and responsibly, contributing to the early removal of the EC’s “yellow card” warning and to building a sustainable fisheries sector.

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