Fishermen were also urged to strictly comply with mandatory requirements before and during each fishing trip, with particular emphasis on maintaining uninterrupted operation of vessel monitoring systems (VMS) on a 24/7 basis and accurately recording fishing logbooks.
The PM acknowledged progress in the IUU fishing combat but also warned against complacency, formality or loopholes in implementation.
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.
According to the provincial Department of Fisheries, as of January 6, Gia Lai had 5,744 registered fishing vessels, all of which have been fully updated on the VNFishbase database. All active vessels hold valid fishing licences, achieving 100% compliance with the Law on Fisheries.
After eight years under the European Commission’s “yellow card” warning over illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, the south-central coastal province of Khanh Hoa has intensified fisheries management measures, helping reduce violations and raise fishermen’s compliance, as Vietnam works towards sustainable and responsible fishing.
The PM demanded completing thoroughly all the assigned tasks in the coming week, reporting honestly and objectively without formalism, standardising data across all levels, sectors and localities and, particularly, addressing the EC-flagged issues.
According to the Hai Phong municipal Department of Agriculture and Environment, the city currently has 788 fishing vessels. All vessels have been fully registered and licensed, with their data verified on VNeID and updated on the national fisheries management system VNFishbase. They have also been equipped with vessel monitoring system (VMS) devices, ensuring that no fishing vessels operating in the city fall short of regulatory requirements.
Khanh Hoa province is stepping up comprehensive measures to prevent illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, while making thorough preparations for the fifth inspection by the European Commission (EC), with the aim of lifting the “yellow card” warning and promoting sustainable fisheries development.
Authorities in the northern province of Ninh Binh are intensifying communication and management measures to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, aiming to help remove the European Commission’s yellow card as soon as possible.
In the coming period, Quang Ninh will continue to implement government and ministerial directives on combating IUU fishing, contributing to efforts to meet the EC’s recommendations and move toward the lifting of the yellow card warning against Vietnam’s seafood exports.
Each fishing vessel is now managed under a unique identification code, with synchronised data across the fisheries management software and VMS devices. Localities have strengthened port departure control and traceability in a digitalised manner.
Under the close direction of the Prime Minister, coastal localities nationwide, particularly in central Vietnam, are urgently implementing assigned tasks with clear schedules and milestones, delivering tangible weekly progress.
The PM emphasised the need to restructure the fishing fleet and workforce to ensure lawful operations, strengthen fisheries cooperation with neighbouring countries, expand aquaculture, reduce offshore exploitation, and improve the material and spiritual well-being for fishing communities.
The provincial fisheries sector has strictly supervised vessels operating in fishing grounds, ensuring that 100% of vessels are updated on the national VNFishbase database and 100% are equipped with VMS tracking devices as required.
From January 2024 to mid-November 2025, Hue city recorded only seven IUU-related violations, all were addressed according to regulations. Nearly 1,000 vessels have completed data verification on the VNFishbase system, significantly improving transparency to support the yellow card removal process.
The PM noted that alongside disaster response and recovery, coastal localities must continue efforts to combat IUU fishing, with the firm resolve to have the EC’s "yellow card" warning lifted this year.
Recently, the Coast Guard Command of Region 3, in coordination with the Central Highland province of Lam Dong, launched a programme to help local fishermen combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
Thanks to early detection, strict monitoring, and strong cooperation between forces, Da Nang has recorded no cases of local vessels violating foreign waters since 2023, marking steady progress toward the removal of the EC’s "yellow card"
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has demanded that the problems of the European Commission (EC)'s particular concern must be thoroughly addressed within one week so that the "yellow card" warning over illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing is lifted this year.
VNPT attributed the disruption to a satellite malfunction that interrupted signal transmission, causing instability in the VMS equipment of many fishing boats. Of the affected vessels, more than 400 currently operating offshore were directly impacted, while the rest remain docked.