Gia Lai (VNA) – Gia Lai province has taken measures to address shortcomings identified by the European Commission delegation during their previous inspection, focusing on managing the fishing fleet, and preventing and penalising vessels and fishermen infringing foreign waters.
Hoai Nhon Dong ward boasts over 650 fishing vessels. Shortly after the administrative merger, the ward established a steering committee for combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, and implemented plans to manage, monitor, prevent, and curb vessels from violating foreign waters.
Nguyen Van Hiep, Chairman of the People’s Committee of the ward, said the local admininistration has sternly required owners of vessels with expired registration to renew their registration and fishing permits before resuming fishing activities.
Nguyen Huu Nghia, head of the provincial Fisheries Sub-Department, noted that Gia Lai has so far had 5,805 registered vessels involved in fishing activities, and all fully updated in the national fisheries database (VNFishbase). All vessels 15 metres or longer have been equipped with vessel monitoring systems (VMS). Additionally, all the 197 vehicles with the length of between 12 and 15 metres, which are likely to violate foreign waters, have also installed VMS.
In October, the provincial Department of Agriculture and Environment organised working delegations to coordinate with Lam Dong, An Giang, and Dong Thap, and Ho Chi Minh City to manage Gia Lai's fishing vessels docking in those localities, focusing on closely monitoring 209 vessels 12 to under 15 metres in length, which are at high risk of violating foreign waters.
Colonel Tran Thanh Binh, Deputy Commander of the provincial Border Guard, reported that in the first nine months of 2025, local border guard units detected and handled 40 cases with 40 individuals involved in illegal activities, specifically vessels operating outside Vietnam's designated fishing zones.
Additionally, 32 out of 33 individuals were fined nearly 300 million VND (11,400 USD) for offences related to the VMS connection, as well as wrongdoings concerning documents, certificates, and crew member registration books, he added.
As part of nationwide efforts to have the "yellow card" warning against Vietnam’s seafood exports removed, the provincial administration launched a plan on the peak month against IUU fishing and for sustainable development of fisheries. The locality aims to put an end to violations such as vessels losing tracking connection for over 6 hours, or exceeding permitted fishing zones by November 15.
Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Pham Anh Tuan said the plan aims to effectively enforce the 2017 Fisheries Law and related regulations, while addressing shortcomings pointed out by the European Commission. It reaffirms the province’s strong commitment to tackling IUU fishing, complying with international standards, and promoting the sustainable development of Vietnam’s fisheries sector./.
HCM City takes bold actions to help lift EC’s “yellow card” on IUU fishing
Compliance with fishing and exploitation regulations is not just to respond to the EC’s inspection but also to ensure the sustainable and responsible development of Vietnam’s fisheries sector in line with environmental protection and international commitments.
