Tien Giang (VNA) – The Mekong Delta province of Tien Giang is intensifying efforts to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing as part of the country’s goal of having the European Commission’s “yellow card” warning lifted.
Since 2022, no organisations or individuals in the province have been found to be involved in facilitating or engaging in IUU fishing.
The province currently manages a fleet of 1,551 offshore fishing vessels, with nearly 9,000 crew members. Notably, 60% of these vessels are high-capacity boats capable of operating in distance fishing grounds such as Con Dao, Truong Sa and DK1. All are now equipped with vessel monitoring systems (VMS).
To enhance compliance, Tien Giang competent forces, especially the provincial Border Guard Command, are working with coastal localities to raise awareness among captains and fishermen about legal fishing practices, urging them to operate within registered zones.
In Go Cong Dong district, home to 704 offshore vessels with an annual seafood output exceeding 10,000 tonnes, border guard stations have conducted outreach and training sessions as part of the province’s efforts to prevent and eventually eliminate IUU fishing.
Tien Giang now ensures that all vessels departure and arrival are recorded through the national eCDT (electronic Catch Documentation and Traceability) system. So far, 6,573 vessel movements at local ports have been logged in the system, supporting traceability and transparency in seafood exports./.
