Combating IUU Fishing: Quang Tri tightens inspections from fishing ports to fishing grounds, An Giang standardizes fisheries management
WVR - The year 2025 marks a significant transition for a number of localities in combating Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing.
Latest
Quang Tri ensures no unqualified fishing vessels set sail
In a decisive move against IUU fishing, Quang Tri province is tightening inspections from fishing ports to fishing grounds and closely monitoring unqualified fishing vessels. The province is also collecting registration and inspection information of fishing vessels, integrating data for management, and resolutely preventing unqualified vessels from setting sail.
Le Van Bao, Vice Chairman of Quang Tri Provincial People's Committee, has instructed units and localities to be aware of the inspection deadlines for local fishing vessels, regardless of whether they are inspected elsewhere or by private entities. Additionally, inspections and awareness campaigns are being conducted, urging fishermen to declare all relevant documents. This ensures the provincial monitoring system has comprehensive data on fishing vessels, enabling effective management and preventing unqualified vessels from setting sail.
 |
| Boats and ships anchored on Nhat Le River (Dong Hoi Ward, Quang Tri Province). (Source: VNA) |
Le Van Bao also urged the Department of Agriculture and Environment to collaborate with localities to accurately account for the number of fishing vessels nearing inspection deadlines, guiding vessel owners to complete inspections on time. Localities are also accelerating the deregistration of vessels that no longer exist, swiftly ending illegal fishing activities in the province.
Quang Tri has over 4,600 fishing vessels measuring 6 meters or more, with 158 vessels deemed unqualified for operation. Localities have intensified monitoring, sealing, and securing unqualified vessels according to regulations; officials are assigned to monitor and manage regularly, ensuring no vessels secretly set sail or carry fishing gear.
Moreover, the list and status of these vessels are publicly available on local information systems for fishermen to be aware and participate in community monitoring.
Colonel Cao Ngoc Lam, Head of the Economic Security Department, Quang Tri Provincial Police, stated that in the coming period, the unit will continue to closely monitor the situation, investigate, and handle serious violations in IUU fishing; particularly the act of sending people and vessels from the province to illegally fish in foreign waters. The provincial police will also coordinate in imposing administrative penalties, ensuring no cases of fishing vessels being detained by foreign authorities or unresolved legal violations.
"Regarding registration, inspection documents, and fishing permits, authorities need to develop software to relay information to localities, reminding fishermen and reducing the number of unqualified vessels. Additionally, the Border Guard and local police need to identify fishermen exploiting legal loopholes or situations to fish beyond boundaries. Specific lists should be compiled for targeted education, deterrence, and strict management to encourage positive changes among fishermen," Colonel Cao Ngoc Lam suggested.
Le Ngoc Linh, Deputy Director of the Fisheries and Fisheries Surveillance Department of Quang Tri Province, affirmed that handling IUU fishing violations has shifted from "reminders and persuasion" to substantive and decisive actions, with no leniency or concessions. The approach now focuses on strong deterrence and specific accountability of vessel owners, captains, and management agencies.
In the future, the main task is for authorities to continue educating and guiding vessel owners to regularly monitor the validity of their documents, promptly renewing or obtaining new ones to avoid unqualified operations.
Additionally, the Director of the Fisheries and Fisheries Surveillance Department of Quang Tri Province hopes that vessels nearing inspection deadlines will complete inspections early, allowing fishermen to go to sea before the deadline; this prevents situations where vessels are at sea with expired inspections.
An Giang Eliminates "Off-Route" and "No-Document" Vessels
One of the most notable changes in An Giang in 2025 is the comprehensive management of the entire fishing fleet, eliminating "off-route" and "no-document" vessels.
As of December 18, 2025, the province has 9,787 fishing vessels, all of which are registered and fully updated on the VNFishbase system. Among them, 9,149 qualified vessels have been issued fishing permits, achieving a 100% rate for the qualified group.
For the 788 unqualified vessels, the province has conducted thorough reviews and classifications. Many vessels have been identified and assigned to local authorities for management; hundreds of others are undergoing deregistration procedures as they have been sold, sunk, burned, or are no longer operational. Cases of missing vessels or those suspected of violating foreign waters are publicly disclosed and closely coordinated with the Police, Border Guard, and Coast Guard for monitoring and handling.
Fleet management extends beyond documentation, with specific responsibilities assigned to each level and locality, ensuring no unqualified vessels set sail and minimizing the risk of IUU violations from the outset.
Alongside fleet management, An Giang is enhancing control over fishing activities at sea and at fishing ports. During the reporting period, the province recorded 166 port entries and exits, a significant increase from the previous week; the volume of seafood unloaded at ports reached 1,207 tons, an increase of 789 tons.
 |
| An Giang's fleet management extends beyond documentation, with specific responsibilities assigned to each level and locality, ensuring no unqualified vessels set sail. (Source: VGP) |
The collection of 83 fishing logbooks during the period indicates a significant improvement in fishermen's compliance. This is a crucial basis for controlling output, fishing grounds, and supporting traceability.
In 2025, the province issued 32 receipts for 75,257 kg of harvested seafood, 4 certificates of seafood material origin (SC) for 44,717 kg, and 4 certificates of seafood origin (CC) for 53.6 tons. Cumulatively, An Giang has issued 283 CCs, corresponding to 2,508 tons of seafood.
All certification processes were conducted correctly, with no errors requiring adjustments or explanations. This reflects transparency and consistency in the seafood management chain, meeting the increasingly stringent requirements of the EU market.
Previously, IUU violations were primarily viewed as livelihood issues, but An Giang now clearly demonstrates a strict handling approach to deter and prevent recurrences.
From 2024 to the present, An Giang has had 45 fishing vessels detained by foreign authorities, including 34 in 2024 and 11 in 2025. Authorities have imposed administrative penalties on 22 vessels, totaling 19.85 billion VND.
For actions such as disconnecting voyage monitoring systems (VMS) and crossing permitted boundaries, from January 1, 2024, to December 19, 2025, An Giang detected 1,452 vessels and addressed 100% of these cases. Among them, 457 vessels were fined a total of 25.82 billion VND; the remaining cases were closed after determining objective causes and full remediation.
Notably, An Giang Provincial Police have prosecuted 51 criminal cases related to violations of foreign waters, dismantling or disabling VMS devices, and other illegal fishing activities. Criminal prosecution of serious offenses has created a clear deterrent effect, contributing to changing fishermen's behavior towards legal compliance.
Alongside management and enforcement measures, An Giang places special emphasis on communication and advocacy as a long-term solution for effective IUU prevention.
In 2025, An Giang produced 9 documentaries, published 22 news articles, and organized 62 direct communication sessions, reaching 521 fishermen and disseminating legal knowledge to 339 vessels. Additionally, 2,458 messages were sent to vessel owners and captains to remind and promptly warn them of regulations to comply with while at sea.
According to the An Giang Provincial People's Committee, efforts to combat IUU fishing have shown clear progress and are becoming systematic. Strict fleet management, effective monitoring of fishing activities, transparent traceability, and stringent violation handling are laying a crucial foundation for An Giang and the nation to move closer to lifting the EC's "yellow card", aiming for responsible, integrated, and sustainable fisheries development.
