Vietnam Coast Guard Sets IUU Combat as Key Task for 2026
	Can Tho Boosts Coordinated Communication to Stop IUU Fishing

According to the Ministry of Public Security’s Portal, since early 2025, the Vinh Long Provincial Police have advised the provincial People’s Committee on developing plans, defining tasks and solutions, and assigning agencies and units to resolutely implement these tasks with the highest effectiveness. Professional measures have been deployed in a coordinated manner to detect, investigate, and handle violations, as well as to coordinate the verification and handling of fishing vessels that lose connection to voyage monitoring system (VMS) devices as prescribed.

Commune-level police proactively grasp the situation, review and monitor fishing vessels that do not meet operating conditions, and coordinate in cleaning data on the fishing vessel monitoring system to serve data updates, enrichment of population data, and vessel identification work across the province.

Commune-level police in coastal areas conduct communication on IUU fishing for fishermen. (Photo: Ministry of Public Security Portal)

As of December 14, police across the province had reviewed, compiled statistics, and updated information on 4,265 out of 4,265 vessels, 2,905 vessel owners, 1,402 captains, 843 chief engineers, and 13,038 crew members. Fishing vessel identification not only helps clearly determine vessel owners, crew members, and operational histories, but also supports functional forces in quickly and accurately inspecting and tracing the origin of aquatic products at fishing ports.

At the same time, commune-level police have intensified communication and advocacy, urging fishermen to strictly comply with regulations when operating at sea; not to facilitate smuggling or trade fraud; and mobilizing 100 percent of vessel owners and captains to sign commitments not to illegally fish in foreign waters, as well as ensuring that 100 percent of fishing vessels with a length of 15 meters or more install VMS devices. From reviewing 100 percent of fishing vessels in the area, updating personnel changes, to organizing the signing of IUU non-violation commitments with each vessel owner, all stages have been carried out seriously, openly, and transparently. Many cases of vessels showing signs of turning off VMS devices, deviating from assigned routes, or preparing to depart without reporting have been promptly detected and verified.

Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Minh Thu, Deputy Head of the Economic Security Division of the Vinh Long Provincial Police, said: “During the peak campaign to combat and prevent illegal fishing activities, our unit has coordinated with relevant units and commune-level police to review fishing vessels to ensure they fully meet operating conditions, and resolutely prevent vessels that do not meet requirements from departing to engage in fishing; intensify communication and advocacy; and coordinate with border guard and fisheries surveillance forces to strengthen patrols and controls of fishing vessels operating at sea. When receiving information or reports of vessels losing VMS signals, abnormal route changes, or detecting signs of violations, we coordinate with the border guard, fisheries surveillance, and coast guard to promptly handle violations.”

Tan Thuy Commune Police, Vinh Long Province, coordinate with the Border Guard to disseminate information to vessel owners on preventing and combating IUU fishing. (Photo: Ministry of Public Security Portal)

Tan Thuy Commune, Vinh Long Province, is the locality with the largest number of registered fishing vessels in the province, totaling 1,462 vessels, of which 1,216 have installed voyage monitoring equipment. In 2025, the commune police coordinated communication activities on the commune’s public address system in more than 120 sessions, reaching over 2,200 vessels and 18,600 listeners; at the same time, they posted and shared more than 350 articles with related content, attracting over 58,300 views on Facebook; and organized advocacy sessions with 75 fishermen attending. These activities helped address issues related to the operation of “three-no” fishing vessels and facilitated engagement and reporting on purse seine vessels operating outside permitted fishing areas due to traditional practices; they also coordinated with Ham Luong Border Guard Station to distribute more than 1,400 leaflets.

Communication content has focused on legal regulations in fisheries exploitation, as well as methods and tactics used by criminal groups that exploit fishing activities to infringe upon security and order. As a result, fishermen’s awareness of law compliance has continued to improve, contributing to preventing and moving toward eliminating IUU fishing.

In addition, commune police have increased guidance for fishermen in applying digital technology to fishing vessel management, using voyage monitoring devices, and tracing product origins to meet international standards, toward developing a modern and sustainable fisheries sector.

Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Trung Chanh, Head of Tan Thuy Commune Police, said: “We review each vessel and update changes related to vessel owners and hired workers, especially those showing signs of brokering or organizing vessels to enter foreign waters. Any vessel preparing to depart is inspected and its documentation checked, while vessel owners and crew members are also informed and reminded to strictly comply with IUU regulations.”

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, ...

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 ...