Society

Government tightens vessel control to fight IUU fishing

The Government has ordered harsh punishments on any violation of vessel-monitoring-system (VMS) rules in a move to get the European Commission (EC)’s “yellow card” against the Vietnamese seafood products for illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing lifted.

Ministers and chairpersons of provincial People’s Committees are ordered to detect and settle VMS violations. (Photo: VNA)
Ministers and chairpersons of provincial People’s Committees are ordered to detect and settle VMS violations. (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi (VNA) – The Government has ordered harsh punishments on any violation of vessel-monitoring-system (VMS) rules in a move to get the European Commission (EC)’s “yellow card” against the Vietnamese seafood products for illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing lifted.

In a dispatch sent to the Ministers of Agriculture and Rural Development, Information and Communications, Justice, Public Security, and Defence, and chairpersons of the People’s Committees of coastal cities and provinces on May 15, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stated that after six years carrying out harmonious measures against IUU fishing, the country has recorded achievements in fishery management, particularly the installation of the VMS devices.

However, illegal fishing in foreign waters remains complicated, he said, adding this is due to violations of VMS regulations and a lack of attention from competent authorities.

If stiff penalties are not meted out, it will be hard for Vietnam to have the “yellow card” removed, and the country may even get a “red card” warning in the EC’s upcoming inspection slated for September-October this year.

Against the backdrop, the Prime Minister asked competent ministers and chairpersons of local People’s Committees to focus on strictly carrying out solutions against IUU fishing, and detecting and settling VMS violations.

They must join hands to review the system and better manage the fleet of fishing vessels to find out in a timely manner any ships having the device switched off or removed. The work must be completed in Q3.

A communications mechanism must be set up to share related information among the ministries and provinces, and raise public awareness about the issue.

Competent authorities must keep a close watch on and maintain regular contacts with fishing communities, while carrying out regular inspections on the VMS quality and installation to detect and handle those who are against the regulations.

The People’s Committees of coastal cities and provinces must ensure resources for the VMS installation on fishing boats measuring from 15 metres.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development is assigned to make reports on the implementation of the dispatch to Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, and Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang – head of the National Steering Committee for IUU Fishing Prevention and Control./.

VNA
#vessel monitoring system #rules #fishing boats #IUU fishing #dispatch #inspection #harsh punishment
Follow VietnamPlus

Post-pandemic recovery

Related News

Checking vessel monitoring device (Photo: VNA)

Tra Vinh takes strong measures against IUU fishing

The Mekong Delta province of Tra Vinh has taken a lot of concerted measures to raise fishermen’s awareness of regulations related to illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing prevention and control.

Tuna processing in Binh Dinh province (Photo: VNA)

Binh Dinh takes strong actions against IUU fishing

The south-central province of Binh Dinh has shown a strong determination in handling any fishing vessels that have no registration, fishing licences and certificates proving their seaworthiness (“three no's” fishing vessels), as part of the efforts to fight illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

All-out efforts needed to get IUU yellow card removed: Minister

All-out efforts needed to get IUU yellow card removed: Minister

Competent ministries, sectors and localities should continue efforts to lift the European Commission’s “yellow card” against the Vietnamese seafood products for illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, as an inspection team of the commission will visit Vietnam soon, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Minh Hoan.

See more

Gift from Deputy PM Ho Quoc Dung to a flood-hit family (Photo: VNA)

Quang Trung campaign: A call from the heart, for the people

In nine provinces and cities across the central and Central Highlands regions, over 11,000 public security officers and staff were mobilised to work alongside grassroots security forces and local authorities. The ministry also sent an extra 300 mobile police officers and public security cadets to assist with housing construction, repairs, and post-disaster recovery efforts.

A Dong Thap border guard officer checks VMS device aboard a fishing a vessel (Photo: VNA)

Dong Thap closely monitors vessels to combat IUU fishing

In recent years, the Dong Thap provincial People’s Committee has directed relevant departments, agencies and localities with fishing fleets to strengthen management and strictly monitor fishing vessel operations at sea as part of efforts to prevent and combat IUU fishing.

A policeman reads an order to detain Le Minh Vu (Photo: VNA)

Thanh Hoa man faces charges for anti-State social media activity

Between 2023 and 2025, Le Minh Vu in Thanh Hoa province repeatedly used a Facebook account bearing his own name and a fan page titled “Le Minh Vu electronic portal – A place to send petitions to recipients” to post content described as unfounded, hostile and dismissive toward the Party, State and government agencies.

Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc speaks at the conference to review and announce the preliminary results of the 2025 rural and agricultural census. (Photo: VNA)

Preliminary results of 2025 rural, agricultural census announced

The 2025 census is Vietnam’s sixth nationwide survey focusing on rural areas and agriculture. It aims to collect fundamental data for compiling socio-economic statistical indicators, serving assessments of the current situation, analyses of trends, and the formulation of plans and strategies for rural development and agricultural, forestry and fisheries production at both national and local levels.

Officials visit the photo exhibition “Under the Party’s Leadership – The nation enters a new era” at the National Convention Centre in Hanoi on January 14. (Photo: VNA)

VNA photo exhibition opens, marking 14th National Congress

The exhibition features approximately 500 archival photographs from the Vietnam News Agency, organised into eight thematic sections reflecting key stages of Vietnam’s modern history in connection with successive Party Congresses.

Quang Ngai now has 4,846 registered vessels, including nearly 3,000 over 15 metres long, while smaller vessels under 15 metres for nearshore fishing are gradually being reduced. (Illustrative photo: VNA)

IUU fishing: Quang Ngai helps fishermen transition to sustainable livelihoods

In recent years, fishermen in Quang Ngai province have actively upgraded and retrofitted large-capacity vessels, applying technical advancements in fisheries operations. As a result, the province’s fisheries sector has continued to make notable progress, with annual catches consistently meeting or exceeding planned targets.

A traffic police officer regulates the traffic flow on a street in Hanoi. (Illustrative photo: VNA)

Hanoi Police announce traffic diversions for 14th National Party Congress

To ensure security, public order and traffic safety for the 14th National Party Congress, to be held from January 19 to 25 at the National Convention Centre in Hanoi’s Tu Liem ward, Hanoi Police have announced traffic diversion and regulation plans on key roads across the capital city.

Illustrative image (Photo: VNA)

IUU combat: Vinh Long tightens fishing port control

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.

Hanoi sees early gains from AI-powered camera system (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi’s AI-powered camera system shows initial positive results

From December 13, 2025 to January 12, 2026, the system recorded 6,351 cases eligible for automated traffic enforcement, with red-light violations accounting for 66.36% and helmet violations 32.32%. Captured images and video clips provided clear legal evidence for enforcement.

At the inauguration of the community digital library in Quang Phu ward, Da Nang city. (Photo: VNA)

RoK locality-funded digital library makes debuts in Da Nang

After more than 10 months of construction, the project has been completed and put into use, featuring all the components of a modern digital library, including over 1,000 book titles, an e-book repository, tablet and desktop computers, dedicated study areas, and spaces for digital knowledge exploration and research.