Seas and islands
Prime Minister Calls for Determined Efforts to Lift IUU “Yellow Card” by April 2026
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has requested the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, along with ministries, sectors and localities, to focus on accelerating production, firmly ensuring national food security, and resolutely lifting the European Commission’s (EC) IUU “yellow card” by April 2026.
Seas and islands
EU Acknowledges Vietnam’s Efforts to Remove IUU “Yellow Card,” Expects EC On-Site Inspection Soon
The Ambassador of the European Union to Vietnam has highly appreciated Vietnam’s political determination and the notable progress it has made in implementing the European Commission’s (EC) recommendations on combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, while expressing expectations that the EC will soon conduct an on-site inspection in Vietnam in the coming period.
Seas and islands
Can Tho Supports VMS Fees for 202 Fishing Vessels to Improve Management
Can Tho will provide nearly VND 560 million in subscription fees for vessel monitoring system (VMS) devices for 202 fishing vessels in 2025. The information was announced at a conference on information dissemination and communication about regulations on combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, organized by the city’s Department of Agriculture and Environment on January 21 in Tran De commune.
Truong Sa Soldiers and People Stand Resolute, Looking Ahead to the 14th National Party Congress
Towards the 14th National Congress of the Party, the military and people of the Truong Sa Special Zone stand united in faith, enthusiasm, and unwavering political resolve, holding firm on the front lines, day and night, to safeguard the sacred sovereignty of the Fatherland’s seas and islands.
Seven Southern Provinces and Cities Coordinate to Prevent Illegal Cross-Border Fishing, Combat IUU Fishing
Since May 2025, functional forces in seven southern provinces and cities have detected 14 cases of fishing vessels encroaching on foreign waters with signs of organized activity and brokering of illegal exit and entry, contributing to strengthened efforts to prevent IUU fishing and to address the “yellow card” warning.
Prime Minister Calls for Continued High Focus and Determined Implementation of IUU Tasks
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has signed Official Dispatch No. 03/CD-TTg, dated January 13, 2026, calling for continued high focus and determined implementation of tasks to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. The dispatch stresses the need to resolutely address existing shortcomings, prevent any loopholes or gaps in organization and law enforcement, and strictly prohibit the legalization of violations. It also clearly states that no reports claiming “100% completion” should be made while IUU violations have not been thoroughly and definitively resolved.
Coast Guard Region 4 Command Rallies Officers and Personnel for IUU Prevention Mission During Tet
Ahead of the deployment for missions to prevent and combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing during the 2026 Lunar New Year, Major General Nguyen Van Dung visited, encouraged, and assigned tasks to officers and personnel aboard vessel KN-373, underscoring their sense of responsibility, political resolve, and determination to uphold the rule of law at sea.
Dak Lak Steps Up Communication to Combat Illegal Fishing
The People’s Committee of Dak Lak Province has recently issued Official Dispatch No. 010350/UBND-KGVX dated December 25, 2025, to implement Official Dispatch No. 7027/BVHTTDL-TTCSTTĐN dated December 23, 2025 of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism on strengthening communication and outreach to prevent and combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing within the province.
Vietnam Finalizes and Submits IUU Fishing Control Report to the European Commission
At the 29th meeting of the National Steering Committee for Combating Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing on January 6, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Phung Duc Tien stated that the Ministry has finalized and submitted to the European Commission (EC) a comprehensive dossier containing a detailed report on Vietnam’s efforts to combat IUU fishing.
Enterprises Violating IUU Regulations to Be Expelled from VASEP
Enterprises that violate regulations on combating illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing will be expelled from the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP). The information was clearly stated by Nguyen Hoai Nam, Secretary General of VASEP, at an online working session on IUU fishing prevention held on the evening of January 6.
An Giang Steps Up IUU Crackdown, Pursues Violating Fishing Vessels to the End
Efforts to manage fishing vessels and combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing in An Giang Province have entered a peak phase. Provincial leaders have issued a firm message: to pursue non-compliant fishing vessels all the way to their mooring locations, while completing registration and licensing on January 5, 2026, in order to tighten discipline and finalize data for reporting.
Nghe An Rolls Out Urgent Measures to Combat IUU Fishing
The People’s Committee of Nghe An Province has ordered the mobilization of the entire political system, strengthening management from fishing vessels and fishermen to fisheries data, with a firm stance on preventing any new violations of illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. The move aims to contribute to national efforts to lift the European Commission’s “yellow card.”
Prime Minister Calls for Substantive Action Against IUU Fishing
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh chaired the 28th meeting of the National Steering Committee on combating illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing on December 30 in Hanoi. He requested truthful and objective reporting, the thorough resolution of outstanding tasks, and a firm rejection of formality and achievement-driven approaches, aiming toward the removal of the EC “yellow card” and the sustainable development of the fisheries sector.
Hai Phong Tightens Fleet Management, Determined to Join Nationwide Efforts to Remove the EC’s IUU “Yellow Card”
Hai Phong City has completed the target of issuing fishing licenses to 100% of eligible fishing vessels, while 100% of offshore fishing vessels have been equipped with vessel monitoring systems (VMS), demonstrating strong determination in combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
Fishermen Unite and Share Responsibility to Combat IUU Fishing
In the area managed by Pho Quang Border Guard Station under the Quang Ngai Provincial Border Guard Command, there is a large number of fishing vessels and maritime laborers, accounting for more than 35% of the total working-age labor force of Tra Cau and Duc Pho wards, Quang Ngai province. To promote the effective role of fishermen in preventing and combating illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, Pho Quang Border Guard Station has accompanied and supported local people in building solidarity and close-knit community ties, thereby jointly raising responsibility and awareness of law compliance in fishing activities.
Prevention of IUU Fishing: Violation Resolution and Honest Reporting
Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha, Head of the Steering Committee, chaired the 27th meeting of the National Steering Committee on combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing on December 23, stressing the need to resolve outstanding issues thoroughly and to report honestly, objectively, and substantively, with determination to have the European Commission’s (EC) “yellow card” lifted in association with the sustainable development of Vietnam’s fisheries sector.
Can Tho Boosts Coordinated Communication to Stop IUU Fishing
Facing the urgent requirement to end illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, Can Tho city is strengthening its communication work in a structured, synchronized and in-depth manner. The focus is on linking legal communication with fishing fleet management, seafood traceability and livelihood transition for fishermen, thereby contributing together with the whole country to the early removal of the European Commission’s (EC) “yellow card”.
Vietnam Coast Guard Sets IUU Combat as Key Task for 2026
The Party Committee of the Viet Nam Coast Guard held the 2025 Coast Guard Work Review Conference on December 20. At the conference, the Viet Nam Coast Guard affirmed that combating illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing would be a key task in 2026, aimed at maintaining legal order at sea and contributing to the removal of the European Commission’s (EC) “yellow card” on Viet Nam’s seafood sector.
Vinh Long Reviews All Fishing Vessels, Tightens IUU Control
The Vinh Long Provincial Police have rolled out comprehensive measures to manage and monitor fishing vessels, step up communication efforts, and strictly handle IUU fishing violations, gradually raising fishermen’s awareness of law compliance.
Naval Squadron 129 Raises IUU Awareness for Da Nang fishermen
Naval Squadron 129 of the Navy, in coordination with the Sea and Fisheries Sub-Department of Da Nang city, conducted outreach for fishermen on preventing illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing; introduced the operations of fishing harbors and fishing villages in the Truong Sa special zone (Khanh Hoa province); and promoted the program “The Viet Nam Navy as a support for fishermen to go offshore and stay at sea” from December 18 to 20.
Removal of IUU “Yellow Card”: Dong Thap Controls 100% of Fishing Vessels at Ports
Dong Thap classifies fishing vessels that are ineligible for licensing and those with expired inspection certificates, while urgently reviewing, guiding, and carrying out inspections and issuing fishing licenses for eligible vessels.
Ensuring Fishermen Are Informed, Supported, and Compliant with New Regulations
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.
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.
