An Giang (VNA) – The southern province of An Giang is stepping up oversight of fishing vessels to curb illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, enforcing a strict ban on vessels that fail to meet legal requirements and reinforcing checks on VMS equipment, fishing licences and logbooks.
By October 31, the province had registered 9,816 fishing vessels, with all information updated in both National Fisheries Database (VNFishbase) and national population database (VNeID). All 8,962 eligible vessels have been granted fishing licences, but more than 890 remain unqualified, posing challenges to fisheries management and IUU prevention.
To tackle the issue, An Giang is rolling out the “four clarities”: clear monitoring responsibility, clear vessel ownership, clear anchorage, and clear vessel status, to tighten control over unlicensed vessels. Verification teams have also been deployed to work directly with vessel owners to identify the reasons for ineligibility and support them in completing licensing procedures.
The provincial steering committee for IUU prevention and control said monitoring and traceability efforts have seen significant improvements, especially in installing vessel monitoring systems. VMS devices have now been installed on 3,590 out of 3,601 vessels with a length of 15 metres or more engaged in fishing, while the remaining 11 inactive vessels are being supervised through anchorage coordinates and Google Maps.
During the peak month against IUU, An Giang inspected 8,360 vessel arrivals and departures at ports, a 29.4% increase year on year. Supervised unloading at ports and landing sites reached 47,894 tonnes, while 973 eCDT receipts were issued, totalling 2,963 tonnes.
Le Huu Toan, Director of the provincial Department of Agriculture and Environment and deputy head of the IUU steering committee, affirmed that competent forces will continue rigorous inspections and strict penalties for violations, particularly IUU-related offences, alongside intensified communication and legal outreach.
The province is also maintaining tight control over vessel movements through ports and border guard checkpoints, refusing permission for any vessel lacking mandatory documents or equipment. It is synchronising data across VNFishbase, VMS, VNeID and border guard systems, and remains determined to prevent any new cases of vessels encroaching foreign waters.
Additionally, An Giang is reviewing catch traceability records and imposing sanctions on all vessels that violate VMS regulations, cross boundaries or enter foreign waters./.
Border guard steps up efforts against IUU fishing
Despite dark nights and rough seas, ships of Border Guard Flotilla 48 set sail for their missions offshore.
