Synchronized Implementation of Enhanced Measures to Combat IUU Fishing

	Mock Trial on IUU Violations Sends Strong Warning to Fishermen
	Coast Guard Boosts Communication on IUU Fishing Prevention

Closely Accompanying Fishermen

In the early hours of the morning at Vung Dam Port (Vinh Thuc Commune), as the fishing vessels prepare their nets, gear, and fuel for setting out to sea, officers and soldiers from the Vung Dam Border Guard Control Station (under the Van Gia Port Border Guard Station) will approach each vessel, handing them leaflets and brochures. This step is to make sure that fishermen engage in active dissemination of regulations and strictly observe legal requirements regarding marine resource exploitation. There are intimate conversations between the officers and the fishermen about daily life and the business of making a living at sea as well as the delivery of crucial content regarding anti-IUU fishing regulations.

The Border Guard Command of Quang Ninh Province is tightening maritime management and intensifying advocacy campaigns towards local fishermen (Photo: baoquangninh.vn)

A local fisherman named Nguyen Van Hung shared that the regular propaganda and reminders from the Border Guard raised the awareness of legal compliance among the fishermen in a positive way.

“Out on the water, we now remind one another not to use prohibited gear, to maintain fishing itinerary books, to keep Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS) active 24/7, and strictly avoid fishing violation in foreign waters. These activities have now become an ingrained habit in our fishing journeys,” said Hung.

According to Lieutenant Colonel Luu Van Hung, Chief of the Van Gia Port Border Guard Station, "The station is managing an area with a vast maritime expanse with numerous estuaries, many fishing vessels from both within and outside the province.

“As our unit’s personnel and equipment are stretched thin, there are significant challenges in management and control. Facing the urgent requirement to combat IUU fishing, the unit has proactively implemented a synchronized range of solutions with propaganda and education being the central tasks. They are considered the foundation for transforming the awareness and behavior of fishermen,” said Lieutenant Colonel Luu Van Hung.

Since the beginning of 2025, the unit has organized advocacy sessions for hundreds of ship owners and captains, securing their signatures on commitments to strictly adhere to fisheries exploitation regulations and anti-IUU measures. The unit also reminds owners of vessels with expired fishing licenses, registration, or food safety certificates to proactively contact functional agencies for renewals. More, vessels that lose connection or show signs of violating foreign waters are immediately notified so that the captain can recall the ships to the locality for verification and processing.

Thanks to these decisive and appropriate solutions, for many years, the area managed by the unit has recorded zero instances of "3-No" vessels (No registration, No inspection, No fishing license).

Decisive Action in the Critical "Sprint" Phase

The campaign is to make sure that local fishermen engage in active dissemination of regulations and strictly observe legal requirements regarding marine resource exploitation (Photo: baoquangninh.vn).

Fully conscious of their core role in the fight against IUU fishing, the Provincial Border Guard Command has thoroughly grasped and strictly implemented the directives from the Government, the Ministry of National Defense, and the provincial authorities.

Immediately following the issuance of the Prime Minister's Official Telegram No. 198/CD-TTg and Plan No. 4182/KH-BDBP by the Border Guard High Command, the Quang Ninh Border Guard swiftly formulated a concrete coordination plan, launching a peak emulation drive across the entire force. Border guard stations and posts have been reinforced with additional personnel, directed to manage fishing vessels at ports, wharves, and river estuaries. The inspection and control of 100% of vessels departing and arriving at port are executed strictly, mandating that fishing vessels maintain their VMS systems operational 24 hours a day.

Notably, the Provincial Border Guard has proactively coordinated to guide fishermen in utilizing the VNeID application for port departure and arrival procedure registration. This system is interconnected with the National Population Database, offering a "2-in-1" solution for being less time-consuming and more accurate crew and ship owner information. Validated population data enables functional forces to strictly manage the maritime labor force, effectively preventing the employment of crew members who lack sufficient certification or who declare information dishonestly.

The VNeID application also serves as a powerful tool, assisting the Border Guard in constructing a "clean," transparent data system. When all data is digitized and authenticated, the tracing, management, and cross-referencing of information in the event of a violation become significantly faster and more precise.

Since the beginning of 2025, Border Guard units in the province have registered and controlled 5,164 vessel turns involving 21,693 crew members; organized 179 ship patrols and 662 speedboat patrols. Through these operations, they have apprehended and processed 131 cases involving 132 vehicles violating fisheries regulations, with the administrative fines totaling over VND 1.5 billion.

The Provincial Border Guard cooperates closely with the police force and local authorities to investigate, verify, and strictly handle cases of fishing vessels violating VMS regulations, in accordance with the direction of the Provincial People's Committee. To date, there are no remaining cases of VMS violations that have not been investigated or handled according to regulations. Notably, throughout 2025, no fishing vessel from the province has been reported by China for violating foreign waters.

Colonel Vu Van Hung, Political Commissar of the Provincial Border Guard, affirmed that, in the coming time, the Provincial Border Guard will continue to intensify the dissemination of legal education, raising awareness among fishermen and mobilizing the people to strictly comply with the law.

“We will coordinate with relevant departments, sectors, and localities to strengthen inspection and control of fishery exploitation activities, and trace the origin of aquatic products through the import and export activities of fishing vessels. These efforts aim to contribute, alongside the whole country, to the removal of the EC 'Yellow Card' at the earliest possible opportunity, fostering a sustainable fisheries industry for Quang Ninh,” said Colonel Vu Van Hung.

Hanoi Convention: Identifying and Combating High-Tech Fraud Crimes In the context of increasingly sophisticated cybercrime, the Hanoi Convention is expected to establish a framework for international cooperation, enhancing the capacity to prevent, identify, ...

Vietnam Ready to Cooperate and Share Experience with International Partners in Combating IUU Fishing On November 6, 2025, during the regular press conference of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam, Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pham ...