Prime Minister Calls for Continued High Focus and Determined Implementation of IUU Tasks
	Seven Southern Provinces and Cities Coordinate to Prevent Illegal Cross-Border Fishing, Combat IUU Fishing

According to reports, the province has completed the registration of 2,898 fishing vessels with a length of 6 meters or more, with all relevant information fully updated in the National Fisheries Database System (Vnfishbase). One hundred percent of fishing vessels eligible for operation have been properly marked, numbered, and equipped with vessel monitoring systems in accordance with regulations. Notably, Thanh Hoa has so far completed all 19 tasks assigned by the Government related to combating IUU fishing.

Recently, a provincial working delegation led by Cao Van Cuong, Vice Chairman of the Thanh Hoa Provincial People’s Committee, conducted inspections of the implementation of several urgent IUU fishing prevention tasks at Hai Chau Fishing Port (Ngoc Son Ward) and Lach Bang Fishing Port (Hai Binh Ward).

On-site inspections showed that the management of fishing vessels in the province has gradually become more standardized, with no cases detected of vessels violating foreign waters. The maintenance of 24/7 vessel monitoring, handling of vessels losing connection or crossing permitted boundaries, as well as the management of vessels not meeting operating conditions, has been carried out seriously by relevant authorities. Activities related to inspection and control of the fishing fleet and the reconciliation of fisheries data have seen many positive improvements.

The working delegation of the Thanh Hoa Provincial People’s Committee inspected berthing areas for fishing vessels that do not meet operating conditions. (Photo: Thanh Hoa Newspaper)

Alongside the results achieved, the delegation also pointed out several shortcomings and limitations that need to be addressed, such as the arrangement of vessel berthing at some fishing ports not being sufficiently scientific, posing potential safety risks; and inadequate environmental sanitation at fishing ports, affecting aesthetics as well as conditions for fishing operations and seafood loading and unloading.

Speaking at the inspection, Vice Chairman Cao Van Cuong acknowledged and highly appreciated the efforts of localities and units in regulating and arranging vessels, which basically meet current management requirements. At the same time, he emphasized that combating IUU fishing is a key, long-term task requiring the synchronous and determined involvement of the entire political system.

To contribute to nationwide efforts to have the seafood “yellow card” lifted in 2026, Cao Van Cuong requested coastal localities, the Border Guard, Fisheries Surveillance forces, the Thanh Hoa Fishing Port Management Board, and the Thanh Hoa Fishing Vessel Registry to continue strengthening communication and awareness-raising among fishermen; to strictly manage the fishing fleet; and to resolutely prevent fishing vessels that do not meet operating conditions from engaging in fishing activities. Fishing vessels with a length of 15 meters or more must berth at designated ports for product unloading to ensure seafood traceability; at the same time, inspections should be intensified and violations of IUU regulations strictly handled, while vessel berthing should be arranged in a scientific and safe manner.

With regard to Hai Chau Fishing Port, which has recently been announced by the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment as a designated port for offshore fishing vessels to berth, the Vice Chairman requested the Ngoc Son Ward People’s Committee to urgently repair and upgrade infrastructure and install all necessary equipment to soon put the port into stable operation; at the same time, to study and propose plans for port expansion to meet the requirements of fishing activities, unloading, and fisheries management in the coming period.

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