Nghe An addresses fisheries surveillance infrastructure and vessel shortages

Nghe An province is working to resolve infrastructure and equipment shortages within its fisheries surveillance operations to better combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

The province’s surveillance force currently operates with only two patrol vessels and two workboats, many of which are 20 to 30 years old. These aging vessels suffer from deteriorating machinery and navigation equipment, which limits their speed, mobility, and safety during offshore operations. This creates a speed gap where enforcement boats may be unable to catch the fishing vessels they are tasked with inspecting.

Additionally, Nghe An lacks a dedicated mooring facility for its surveillance fleet. Currently, vessels are moored at fishing ports, increasing the risk of damage and collisions due to heavy maritime traffic. While minor repairs are being conducted to maintain short-term functionality, officials note that these do not address the fundamental need for modernized vessels and specialized infrastructure.