Vinh Long (VNA) – As Vietnam intensifies nationwide efforts to curb illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing and secure the removal of the European Commission’s “yellow card” warning on its seafood exports, fishing ports in the southern province of Vinh Long have stepped up management and oversight of fishing activities.
IUU “control points”
Vinh Long is endowed with a 130km coastline, a strategic asset for its marine economy and thriving captured fisheries. The province now logs 4,627 fishing vessels, sustaining stable employment and income for tens of thousands of workers engaged in both offshore operations and shore-based support services.
Last year, total fisheries output reached 306,340 tonnes, exceeding the annual target by 8.84%. Captured fisheries topped 270,000 tonnes, playing a major role in driving local economic growth and supporting the livelihoods of coastal communities.
The province operates five fishing ports, namely Binh Dai, Ba Tri, Thanh Phu, Dịnh An and Lang Chim. Beyond serving as landing and trading hubs, these ports sustain fishermen’s livelihoods, facilitate fisheries logistics and driving local socio-economic development. Critically, they also serve as frontline control points in local campaign against IUU fishing.
Dang Hong Tai, deputy head of the provincial Fishing Port Management Board, said all fishing vessels entering and leaving ports are subject to strict inspection and monitoring. Landed catches follow controlled handling protocols, fishing logbooks are fully collected, and reported catches are cross-checked with voyage monitoring system (VMS) data.
Complementing these controls, regular awareness campaigns educate stakeholders on key regulations, including the 2017 Fisheries Law and Decree No. 38/2024/NĐ-CP. Efforts include port loudspeaker broadcasts, distribution of informational leaflets, face-to-face briefings with vessel owners and captains, and hands-on training in the electronic catch documentation and traceability system (eCDT VN). The port authority also runs an active social media page with nearly 1,000 followers to provide real-time updates and guidance to fishermen.
Coordinated push to lift “yellow card
Nguyen Quynh Thien, Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee, said the province has adopted concerted and drastic measures to combat IUU fishing as directed by the Government and the National Steering Committee on IUU.
Thus far, Vinh Long has completed 18 of 19 assigned tasks. The sole remaining task - formulating policies to support livelihood transition, retiring vessels no longer in service, and equipping fishermen with advanced monitoring equipment - is underway according to established procedures to ensure every measure is both practical and profoundly beneficial.
Going forward, Vinh Long will maintain close coordination among agencies and localities, intensify legal outreach on fisheries regulations, strengthen management of the fishing fleet, and enhance the effectiveness of vessel monitoring. The province will also work closely with neighbouring localities and maritime enforcement forces to detect and address violations. When necessary, administrative penalties will be strictly enforced, ensuring that every infraction is dealt with in accordance with the full force of the law./.
