Police forces from Lam Dong, Ca Mau, An Giang, Can Tho, Vinh Long, Dong Thap, and Ho Chi Minh City held a joint review on January 12 in Xuan Huong - Da Lat ward, Lam Dong province, strengthening efforts to combat organisations and individuals arranging or brokering illegal border crossings for illegal fishing overseas.
During the event, authorities distributed 425 leaflets outlining IUU rules and key responsibilities for vessel owners and crews, including: obtaining proper licenses, displaying the Vietnamese flag while at sea, actively protecting maritime sovereignty, maintaining order at sea, and avoiding prohibited practices such as destroying marine resources, ecosystems, or fishing in restricted areas.
The two verdicts demonstrate the determination of An Giang’s judicial authorities to prosecute illegal border crossings, thereby raising public awareness, safeguarding national sovereignty, and curbing illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
The inspection campaign, which runs from March to November, is divided into multiple peak phases aimed at detecting, preventing, and strictly handling violations of fishing regulations. It also seeks to raise fishermen’s awareness and compliance with the law.
Authorities have pursued cases involving serious offenses such as illegal border crossings, fraud, document forgery, vessel monitoring system (VMS) tampering, and the unauthorised use of explosives for fishing.
To further tighten control, the Tien Giang Department of Agriculture and Environment recently established task forces to monitor the operation of vessels, their compliance with fishing regulations, and the installation of the vessel monitoring system.
