Combat IUU Fishing: Post-Tet, Da Nang reduces coastal fishing vessels, Khanh Hoa fishermen determined to avoid violations
WVR - Aiming to build a modern and sustainable fisheries sector, gradually perfecting fishery logistics services to soon remove the "IUU yellow card", has become an inevitable trend and is actively embraced by fishermen in Da Nang city and Khanh Hoa province from the first sea trips after the Lunar New Year of Binh Ngo 2026.
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Da Nang restructures its fleet
Da Nang currently boasts a fishing fleet of 4,045 vessels of various types. With numerous efforts to remove the IUU yellow card, Da Nang has completed the installation of journey monitoring devices on fishing vessels with a maximum length of 15 meters or more. 100% of fishing vessels are marked and registered according to regulations and are updated in the Vietnam National Fisheries Database.
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| Officers and soldiers from Son Tra Border Guard Station (Command of the Border Guard of Da Nang city) inspect communication equipment on fishermen's boats. (Source: VNA) |
Despite possessing a robust fleet, many vessels are only capable of coastal fishing. Therefore, restructuring the fleet towards new construction, conversion, enhancing capacity, and equipping with modern seafaring equipment, providing post-harvest product preservation means, and improving product traceability, contributes to transitioning fishermen to responsible, legal fishing models and minimizing small-capacity vessels. This is part of Da Nang's determined efforts to build a modern, sustainable fisheries sector and remove the IUU yellow card.
At the recent 6th session, the Da Nang City People's Council passed a resolution on policies to support fisheries development in Da Nang from 2026 to 2030 with five specific contents, aiming to remove the IUU yellow card and build a sustainable fisheries sector.
Accordingly, there are five support policies, including: Supporting hull insurance with 40% of the annual cost for fishing vessels 15 meters or longer, in addition to the 50% support from central policies. Supporting the cost of purchasing new journey monitoring devices installed on fishing vessels with 50% of the device's value. Supporting subscription fees for journey monitoring services, supporting the purchase of marine engines and new fishing gear, and converting fishing vessels but not exceeding 50 million VND per vessel.
Along with long-term fisheries development support for fishermen, entering the new production season of 2026, Da Nang has successively put into operation upgraded and expanded fishing ports such as Hong Trieu Port, Tho Quang Fishing Port, and Tam Quang Fishing Port, facilitating the provision of fishery logistics services and post-harvest product consumption for fishermen, contributing to enhancing the economic efficiency of each sea trip.
Khanh Hoa fishermen aim for sustainable fisheries
After the Lunar New Year, at Khanh Hoa fishing ports, hundreds of fishing vessels are hastily preparing for the first sea trip of the year. Amid the bustling departure, fishermen not only hope for a bountiful season but also raise awareness of complying with IUU fishing regulations, aiming for sustainable fisheries.
After consolidating and standardizing fisheries data, Khanh Hoa province has 5,200 registered, marked, and licensed fishing vessels, achieving 100%. Among them, 1,500 vessels 15 meters or longer have installed VMS journey monitoring devices. Strict fleet management helps control fishing activities from departure, serving traceability and preventing violations early.
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| Khanh Hoa fishermen "depart and report", striving to remove the IUU "yellow card". (Source: Sai Gon Giai Phong Newspaper) |
Fisherman Le Van Chat from Bac Nha Trang ward, Khanh Hoa province, shared: “Last year, in general, the community had a prosperous and favourable sea season, achieving effective production. This year, we continue to strive for the desired results while strictly adhering to State regulations, especially avoiding violations of foreign waters and IUU regulations.”
In 2025, Khanh Hoa's seafood production exceeded 238,000 tons, with export turnover around 870 million USD. To strictly control fishing activities, authorities maintain a 24/7 presence at fishing ports, thoroughly checking documents and equipment before allowing vessels to depart.
Nguyen Duy Quang, Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Khanh Hoa province, stated: “Regarding IUU fishing prevention, we maintain a 24/7 presence throughout Tet to strictly manage fishing vessel activities while supporting fishermen to confidently head to sea. Currently, all fishing vessels must fully comply with IUU fishing prevention regulations; those not meeting conditions are firmly prohibited from departing.”
