Vietnam intensifies crackdown on illegal fishing through technology and education

Authorities in Vietnam are intensifying efforts to combat Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing through legal education and technological monitoring. In Tam Quan, the Tam Quan Nam Border Guard Station and the Coast Guard Region 2 Command organized sessions to inform fishermen about maritime boundaries, international treaties, and mandatory documentation for fishing vessels.

In Quang Tri province, officials are conducting strict inspections of vessel registration, fishing licenses, and Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS). Currently, 98.1% of offshore vessels over 15 meters in Quang Tri have installed VMS, allowing authorities to track activities and detect connectivity losses. The province is also implementing an electronic seafood traceability system (eCDT) to connect fishing port data with border guard forces.

Despite these advancements, officials noted challenges such as prolonged VMS connectivity failures, which remain a primary concern for the European Commission during inspections. In Quang Tri, 80 vessels are currently deemed unfit for operation, and 43 others are identified as high-risk for IUU violations.