Seas and islands
Decisive Implementation of the New Decree to Combat IUU Fishing
Decree No. 301/2025/ND-CP, with many new provisions that significantly increase penalties and responsibilities for remedying consequences, is expected to bring about clear changes in efforts to prevent and combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
Seas and islands
Mock Trial to Raise Awareness on Combating IUU Fishing in Da Nang
Through the proceedings of the mock trial, fishermen were able to directly observe the litigation process and gain a clearer understanding of the severe penalties imposed for IUU violations, thereby raising awareness of law compliance when going offshore and engaging in fishing activities.
Seas and islands
Prime Minister Calls for Faster, Stronger Action in the Fight Against IUU Fishing
On the evening of December 16, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh chaired the 26th meeting of the National Steering Committee for the Prevention of Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing. The meeting was connected online to coastal provinces and cities nationwide. Attending the meeting were Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha, Head of the Steering Committee; Minister of Agriculture and Environment Tran Duc Thang; and leaders of central ministries, sectors, and local authorities.
Naval Region 5 Offers Free Medical Care to Policy Beneficiary Families
The Naval Region 5 Command, in coordination with the Ministry of Health, organized free medical examinations and medicine distribution for policy beneficiary families under the 2025 Military-Civilian Medical Cooperation Program on December 11-12 in the Phu Quoc special zone, An Giang province. This was a practical activity to express gratitude to policy beneficiaries, while also commemorating the 81st anniversary of the founding of the Viet Nam People’s Army (December 22, 1944 - December 22, 2025).
Hung Yen Fishermen Commit to Compliance with Fisheries Law
Hung Yen Traffic Police and Border Guard continues to strengthen coordination in preventing and combating IUU fishing.
Legal fishing, “yellow card” lifting
During the prevention of illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing (IUU), the authority at different levels not only controls boat management, illegal fishing vessels, but also proactively raises fishermen’s awareness.
100% of Fishing Vessels Registered on VNFishbase
On December 9, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh chaired the 25th meeting of the National Steering Committee for Combating Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing. According to the meeting, 100% of fishing vessels nationwide have now been registered and updated in the national fisheries database, VNFishbase.
Ninh Binh Intensifies Efforts Against IUU Fishing, Ready for the EC’s Fifth Inspection
In response to the request of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment to strengthen the fight against illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, and to prepare for the fifth inspection by the European Commission (EC), the Ninh Binh Provincial People’s Committee has urgently issued a directive. The province requires all departments, sectors, functional forces, and local authorities to decisively and comprehensively implement solutions to thoroughly address existing shortcomings in combating IUU fishing.
Hue Plans to Allocate 16 Billion VND to Support Decommissioning of Over 100 Fishing Vessels That Do Not Meet Operational Requirements
At the 11th session of the 8th Hue City People’s Council, held on December 8-9, policies to support career transition and the decommissioning of more than 100 fishing vessels that do not meet operational requirements continued to attract significant attention due to their direct impact on the livelihoods of hundreds of fishermen.
Prime Minister: Combating IUU Fishing, Advancing Sustainable Fisheries
The Prime Minister emphasized the need for “high determination, great effort, and decisive action,” and to pursue dual goals: ending violations related to IUU fishing while restructuring and sustainably developing the fisheries sector.
Quang Ngai Steps Up Measures to Combat IUU Fishing
Border guard forces in Quang Ngai are rolling out inspection, management, and supervision measures for fishing vessels that fail to meet operational requirements in many coastal communes, in an effort to prevent violations and contribute to the lifting of the IUU “yellow card”.
Coordinating to Effectively Implement the Peak Campaign Against IUU Fishing
In recent times, with close coordination between Coast Guard Region 2 Command and local departments and agencies, the implementation of the peak campaign to combat, prevent, and put an end to violations by fishing vessels engaged in illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing has achieved positive results.
Accelerating Fight Against IUU Fishing: Completing All Tasks Before December 15
On December 2, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha, Deputy Head of the National Steering Committee for Combating Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing, chaired the Committee’s 24th meeting, held online with 21 coastal provinces and cities.
Thanh Hoa Advances Comprehensive Measures for Sustainable Fisheries
According to the plan, at the end of this year, an inspection team from the European Commission (EC) will visit Viet Nam to review the implementation of requirements on combating illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. As a locality with a developed fisheries sector and heavily affected by IUU regulations, Thanh Hoa has recently deployed a wide range of comprehensive measures to build a sustainable fisheries industry, proactively joining the entire country in preparing to welcome the EC inspection team, aiming toward the goal of removing the fisheries “yellow card.”
Joint Measures by Fishermen and Border Guards to Combat IUU Fishing
Vietnamese fishermen and border guards are implementing synchronous measures to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. Through stricter controls, improved awareness, and tougher penalties, the country aims to modernize its fisheries and secure the removal of the European Commission's "yellow card".
Nghe An Strengthens Control and Strictly Handles IUU Violations
Over the past two years, Nghe An Province has taken strong and comprehensive measures to meet the requirements for combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, contributing to the nationwide effort to have the European Commission (EC) lift its “yellow card” warning on Vietnamese seafood.
Khanh Hoa Enhances Communication and Inspection to Prevent IUU Fishing Violations
Thanh Hai Border Guard Station under the Khanh Hoa Border Guard Command, in coordination with the People’s Committee of Vinh Hai Commune (Khanh Hoa Province), held a conference on November 25 to raise awareness about preventing illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing for more than 80 fishermen and vessel owners from local fishing groups and teams.
Prime Minister Orders Decisive Action on IUU Violations, Readiness for EC Inspection
At the 23rd online meeting of the National Steering Committee on combating illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing held on November 25 in Ho Chi Minh City, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh requested that heads of ministries, sectors and localities bear direct responsibility if violations recur. He also instructed the completion of data and documentation in preparation for the fifth inspection mission of the European Commission (EC).
Quang Tri Tightens Control of Vessels to Combat IUU Fishing
With more than 191 km of coastline and over 8,000 fishing vessels, Quang Tri is one of the localities with strong marine exploitation activities in the central region. After administrative unit consolidation, the province has been intensifying decisive measures to thoroughly prevent violations related to illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, making an important contribution to the roadmap of lifting the European Commission’s “yellow card.”
Coast Guard Region 4 Combats IUU Fishing, Raising Fishermen’s Awareness
Naval Squadron 42 under the Command of Coast Guard Region 4 held its 2025 annual review conference on the morning of November 22. A highlight of the year was the work of inspection and communication on combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing for thousands of vessels and fishermen, contributing to the nation’s overall effort to have the European Commission’s “yellow card” lifted.
Quang Ngai: Fining 22 Fishing Vessels for Violating IUU Regulations
On November 20, Sa Huynh Border Guard Station continued to deliver administrative penalty decisions of the Quang Ngai Provincial Border Guard Command to captains of 22 fishing boats in Sa Huynh ward for violating illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing regulations.
EU Recognizes Vietnam’s Progress in Combating IUU Fishing
At a press briefing marking the 35th anniversary of Vietnam-European Union (EU) relations on November 18, EU Ambassador to Vietnam Julien Guerrier assessed that Vietnam has “comprehensively overhauled” its legal framework to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing and has achieved substantive progress. However, lifting the yellow card will still require additional time to ensure effective implementation on the ground.
Accelerating Completion of National Fisheries Database System Before December 31, 2025
On November 18, at the 22nd meeting of the National Steering Committee for Combating Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha, Deputy Head of the Steering Committee, emphasized the central role of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment in fisheries management. He requested that agencies focus on addressing delays and completing a synchronized national fisheries data system that meets monitoring and traceability requirements.
