Vietnam intensifies anti-IUU fishing enforcement and education

Vietnamese maritime authorities are intensifying efforts to combat Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing to address the European Commission’s “yellow card” warning. In Da Nang, Coast Guard Command Region 2 has implemented a direct outreach strategy at Tam Quang Fishing Port, visiting individual vessels and homes to educate fishermen on legal requirements.

Key focus areas for these enforcement and education campaigns include the mandatory 24/7 maintenance of Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS), accurate logging of fishing activities to ensure traceability, and strict adherence to boundaries to prevent unauthorized entry into foreign waters.

Additionally, Coast Guard Command Region 3 is utilizing diverse methods such as “mock trials” to demonstrate the legal consequences of IUU violations. These sessions use real-world scenarios, such as tampering with VMS devices, to illustrate the negative impact of illegal fishing on national reputation and the long-term livelihoods of local fishing communities.