Combating IUU Fishing: Quang Tri establishes two control teams to monitor fishing grounds; Vinh Long strictly controls fishing vessels
WVR - Addressing the European Commission (EC) yellow card warning is a long-term process requiring a coordinated effort from the entire political system, decisive leadership from local authorities, strict law enforcement by functional forces, and above all, the self-awareness of each fisherman. Initial results from many localities contribute to the country's efforts to soon remove the EC's "yellow card".
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Quang Tri thoroughly addresses IUU fishing violations
To prevent and end illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, the People's Committee of Quang Tri province has decided to establish two interdisciplinary control teams operating in the province's maritime areas, starting from January 20. Their main task is to thoroughly address violations, ensuring no "three-no" fishing vessels and unqualified vessels operate secretly at sea.
Accordingly, the Northern Control Team will patrol and monitor the sea areas, river mouths, fishing ports, and anchorage areas from Phu Trach commune to Cam Hong commune (former Quang Binh area). The Southern Control Team is responsible for the area from Cua Tung commune to Hai An commune, focusing on key areas with a high risk of IUU fishing violations.
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| Quảng Trị's functional units inspect and seal "three-no" fishing vessels for strict and specific management. (Source: Báo Nhân Dân) |
The core force of the Control Teams includes the provincial Border Guard, coordinating with the Fisheries Sub-department, Fisheries Surveillance, the Standing Militia Fleet, and the People's Committees of coastal communes and wards.
The interdisciplinary teams are tasked with organizing comprehensive patrols and inspections in coastal communes, channels, anchorage areas, and river mouths to thoroughly address violations, ensure strict management, and prevent "three-no" fishing vessels (unregistered, unlicensed, uncontrolled) and unqualified vessels from evading functional forces to operate at sea.
According to the decision of the People's Committee of Quang Tri province, the teams will begin this important task during the peak period from January 20 to May 30, 2026, to strictly handle violations in IUU fishing, aiming for responsible and regulated marine exploitation.
Vinh Long seriously addresses "Yellow Card" warning
During a working session with the interdisciplinary delegation from the Fisheries Department and Fisheries Surveillance led by Mr. Nguyen Quang Hung – Deputy Director of the Fisheries Department and Fisheries Surveillance, Mr. Nguyen Quynh Thien – Provincial Party Member, Vice Chairman of Vinh Long People's Committee affirmed that the province always strictly follows the Central's directives on addressing the EC's "yellow card" warning, considering it a key political task.
In 2025, Vinh Long province maintained a strict fisheries management system with 4,618 registered fishing vessels, including 2,257 vessels over 15 meters in length. The province deregistered 489 vessels no longer qualified to operate and strictly managed 254 vessels required to remain docked to ensure no unauthorized departures.
A highlight in 2025 was the installation of voyage monitoring systems (VMS) on 100% of operating fishing vessels, enabling 24/7 monitoring, applying automatic warning systems, and promptly notifying of any disconnections.
During the 2024 – 2025 period, functional forces detected 2,717 cases of signal loss or boundary violations, but only 7 vessels were fined, totaling 575 million VND; the remaining cases were proven not to violate regulations. From the beginning of 2026 to date, 14 vessels were recorded with disconnections, but all were verified to be on the correct course, with no illegal fishing incidents.
Fishing ports in the province strictly control fishing vessel activities at ports, with 6,950 vessel arrivals, monitoring 55,739 tons of seafood, and fully retrieving fishing logs; no violations regarding origin or incorrect fishing zones were detected. Notably, the province has not recorded any fishing vessels infringing foreign waters since 2024.
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| Fishermen unloading seafood at Bình Đại fishing port (Vinh Long province). (Source: Nhan Dan Newspaper) |
Speaking at the working session, Mr. Nguyen Quang Hung – Deputy Director of the Fisheries Department and Fisheries Surveillance, urged Vinh Long province to focus on implementing five groups of tasks and solutions in the coming time, including: managing fishing vessels; monitoring fishing vessel activities at sea and when docking; tracing the origin of harvested seafood; handling administrative violations; reviewing documents, and preparing content for meetings with the EC inspection team.
Receiving the delegation's directives, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee Nguyen Quynh Thien expressed the desire for continued attention and support from the Fisheries Department and Fisheries Surveillance to overcome difficulties and obstacles in the coming time, enhancing the capacity to address the EC's "yellow card" warning. He also requested departments and sectors to continue tightening fleet management, preventing violations from the outset, and thoroughly preparing for the 5th EC Inspection Team meeting in 2026.
Representatives of the Fisheries Department and Fisheries Surveillance acknowledged the efforts of Vinh Long province, requiring the locality to maintain strict monitoring of 100% of operating fishing vessels, thoroughly handling violations, contributing to the early removal of the "yellow card" and protecting the country's seafood export interests.
