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| Vietnamese fishermen are now required to install vessel monitoring systems (VMS) to track their movements, a crucial step in the country’s fight against illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing practices. (Photo: VNA) |
Vietnamese localities are ramping up efforts to eradicate IUU fishing, tightening control over fishing ports and offshore activities in line with the European Commission’s (EC) recommendations.
The new VMS requirement is a key component of these efforts, as it allows authorities to track the movements of fishing vessels and ensure compliance with regulations.
Nguyen Thanh Hien, a fisherman from Ninh Thuan province, highlighted the consequences of failing to maintain a functional VMS, which can result in significant fines and restrictions on docking at ports.
To enhance oversight further, all 28 coastal provinces have reviewed their registered fishing fleets and consolidated the data into the national VNFishbase system. This has led to remarkable progress in addressing unregistered, unlicensed, and uncertified vessels, with Kien Giang province successfully registering all such vessels, thereby reducing safety risks and improving resource management.
According to the Directorate of Fisheries, round-the-clock monitoring is in place, particularly for vessels longer than 24 meters, to detect any boundary violations or signal disruptions. Weekly updates on high-risk and non-compliant vessels are fed into the VMS database to support enforcement actions.
All operational fishing ports, including private ones, now have mandatory procedures to verify vessel entries and exits, inspect seafood landings, and trace product origins to prevent IUU fishing. Specialized teams deployed by authorities at these ports ensure compliance and enforce penalties for any violations.
Tran Dinh Luan, Director of the Fisheries Directorate, emphasized the need for stringent law enforcement and strict penalties for violations, including unauthorized fishing in foreign waters. He also advocated for additional resources to strengthen IUU prevention measures.
Law enforcement agencies across Vietnam have intensified legal actions against IUU-related offenses, with 39 criminal cases initiated and 12 brought to trial. These cases encompass a range of violations, including illegal border crossings, fraud, and tampering with VMS devices.
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Since the start of 2025, the province has maintained a clean slate with no new violations reported. An impressive feat, considering nearly 2,000 entities were required to install monitoring devices, and they have all complied.
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