Tien Giang (VNA) – Proactive measures and stringent enforcement actions have helped the Mekong Delta province achieve positive outcomes in its fight against illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, with no violations reported in recent years.
According to Le Van Son, Chairman of the Go Cong Dong district People’s Committee, authorities have ramped up educational campaigns to raise awareness among fishermen, while closely monitoring vessels to ensure no boats infringe upon foreign waters. Thanks to these efforts, since 2022, no violations have been recorded in the district in this regard.
In Vam Lang town, home to 20 cooperative fishing groups and 100 offshore vessels, community engagement has played a vital role. Ly Van Lieng, head of the Truong Duy fishing cooperative, shared that local fishermen now fully understand and comply with marine resource exploitation regulations, thanks to consistent government outreach.
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.
The department has also intensified patrols and inspections, issuing directives to local authorities to tighten control over unregistered vessels setting sail in 2025. Officials have ensured that essential documents such as registration certificates, seafood origin certificates, and crew member directories are properly issued to meet the demands of both fishermen and seafood exporters. Technical safety inspections for all vessels have been strictly enforced to ensure compliance with regulations, minimising risks of violations.
In a significant move towards transparency, the department has partnered with enforcement agencies to roll out an electronic catch documentation and traceability system (eCDT). This system requires all departing and arriving vessels, as well as seafood purchasing enterprises, to update their data on the platform to ensure product legality.
Tran Hoang Nhat Nam, Deputy Director of the provincial Department of Agriculture and Environment, confirmed that Tien Giang will continue to implement urgent and targeted measures to combat IUU fishing. Key actions include enhancing vessel registration, issuing fishing licenses based on quotas, and certifying food safety standards for fishing vessels.
The department also plans to keep VN-Fishbase updated with comprehensive vessel data.
To maintain vigilance, Tien Giang authorities will collaborate with local governments and border guard forces to expand public awareness campaigns and strengthen vessel monitoring. Strict penalties will be imposed on vessels that lose tracking signals, ensuring non-compliant boats are barred from offshore fishing activities./.
