Hue border guards play pivotal role in efforts to remove EC "yellow card"

Raising public awareness about IUU fishing has been identified as a key task for the Hue city border guard force. (Photo: VNA)

Hue (VNA) – Border guards in the central city of Hue have been playing a core role in the combat against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, persistently implementing concerted measures to help with removing the European Commission (EC)’s “yellow card” warning, safeguarding national sovereignty, and promoting sustainable marine economic development.

From 2020 to 2025, the local border guard units organised 24 patrols at sea, working in close coordination with relevant agencies to detect violations and take prompt action. This continuous presence of the force has significantly reduced the number of fishing vessels trespassing on foreign waters.

Raising public awareness about IUU fishing has been identified as a key task for the local border guard force. Tailoring communication methods to different groups of people, they have creatively used grassroots channels, including small gatherings at fishing ports, community meetings, and loudspeaker broadcasts.

Captain Le Huu Buong, head of the Thuan An border checkpoint, said officers have strictly examined vessel routes and monitored onboard tracking devices to ensure vessels operate within registered fishing zones. They have also listened to fishermen's concerns to provide timely support and solutions.

These outreach efforts have yielded notable results. In recent years, Hue's border guard force has successfully persuaded 236 vessels at risk of IUU violations to return to Vietnamese waters and secured commitments from 289 vessel owners and captains pledging to comply with legal regulations. So far, the city has recorded no IUU violations—an encouraging sign proving effects of communications campaigns.

A highlight of the local strategy is the “safe fishing vessel team” model, which has gained traction throughout Hue. The city now has 101 such teams, comprising 1,404 fishermen. These teams not only assist each other in emergencies at sea but also act as the "eyes and ears" of local border guards, helping to detect and report violations. In cooperation with border guard posts, these teams also play a key role in protecting maritime sovereignty and promote safe and sustainable fishing practices.

At the Thuan An Port border guard post alone, the teams have helped rescue nine distressed vessels with 88 crew members and worked with authorities to handle seven violation cases.

Thanks to the persistent and dedicated efforts by the border guards, local fishermen understand that their compliance with regulations not only conserves marine resources for future generations but also helps uphold Vietnam’s reputation in the international arena.

At the Party Congress of the Hue Border Guard Command for the 2025–2030 term held earlier this week, Colonel Dang Ngoc Hieu, Deputy Political Commissar of the Hue city Military Command, and Secretary of the Party Committee and Political Commissar of the Border Guard Command, emphasised the force’s commitment to comprehensively reforming border security measures. It will continue to focus on IUU fishing prevention, intensify patrols, step up communications to raise fishermen’s awareness, and ensure proper enforcement in line with national and international maritime laws and agreements.

These ongoing efforts reflect a long-term strategic goal of completely eliminating IUU fishing and removing the EC’s "yellow card", paving the way for Vietnam to emerge as a model of sustainable fisheries development./.

VNA