PM orders comprehensive fixes to shortcomings in fighting IUU fishing

The dispatch calls for urgent and coordinated action, including legal reforms, tighter fleet management, stronger law enforcement and more effective inspections.

 The Prime Minister has ordered ministries, sectors and coastal localities to comprehensively address persistent shortcomings in combating illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, with the goal of securing the removal of the European Commission’s “yellow card” warning against Vietnamese seafood exports in 2026.

PM orders comprehensive fixes to shortcomings in fighting IUU fishing -0
Officers from the Ca Na border guard station and the management board of Ca Na fishing port in Khanh Hoa province inspect documents related to fishermen’s vessels (Photo: VNA)

According to an official dispatch signed on April 25, despite progress following the EC’s fifth inspection, shortcomings remain in law enforcement, inter-agency coordination, monitoring of fishing vessels, handling of violations, and traceability control for imported seafood materials. These weaknesses continue to hinder Vietnam’s efforts to meet EC recommendations.

The Government attributed the situation partly to inadequate responsibility and enforcement by some local authorities and relevant agencies. The PM stressed that heads of ministries, sectors and coastal localities will be held fully accountable if violations persist, affecting the country’s efforts to have the warning lifted.

The dispatch calls for urgent and coordinated action, including legal reforms, tighter fleet management, stronger law enforcement and more effective inspections.

A key task is reviewing and improving the legal framework governing the fisheries sector, including a new decree to replace current regulations on administrative sanctions in fisheries. Authorities were also instructed to review broader fisheries legislation to support sustainable development, responsible fishing and international integration.

The Government reiterated the need to accelerate implementation of approved projects, strategies, plans and programmes aimed at strengthening protection of aquatic resources; reducing fishing pressure; promoting aquaculture, particularly marine farming, and helping promote fishing communities transition to more sustainable livelihoods.

On fleet management, authorities and relevant agencies were told to conduct a nationwide review of fishing vessels by size; identify vessels failing to meet registration, licensing or food safety requirements, and update information on fishing vessels and vessel owners in the national fisheries database (VNFishbase) and the national population database (VNeID) to ensure accuracy and consistency. All eligible vessels must complete registration and install vessel monitoring systems (VMS) in line with regulations.

The dispatch also requires the control of all vessels entering and leaving ports and border checkpoints through the electronic catch documentation and traceability system (eCDT), with data integration among central and local agencies completed by this June.

Strict oversight is also required for vessels considered high-risk for IUU violations or those with prolonged VMS disconnections. Authorities must ensure all fishing catches are landed through designated ports and fully recorded for traceability. Imported seafood raw materials, especially container shipments, will face tighter controls.

Particular scrutiny will be placed on imported swordfish and tuna consignments and seafood exports to the European market since 2024, with authorities ordered to review all related documentation and enterprise records.

To strengthen enforcement, the PM ordered intensified patrols in waters bordering neighbouring countries and at key coastal areas to prevent vessels from encroaching into foreign waters. Authorities were also requested to accelerate investigations, prosecutions and trials related to serious IUU violations.

Special attention was directed to dismantling brokerage networks that facilitate illegal fishing in foreign waters, particularly in Khanh Hoa and An Giang provinces and Can Tho city. Violations involving VMS disconnections, boundary breaches and illegal overseas fishing since 2024 must be fully handled, with sanctions updated in the national administrative penalty database.

Monthly reporting, intensified inspections and strict accountability measures will accompany the crackdown. The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment - the standing body of the national steering committee on IUU fishing prevention and control, was tasked with coordinating implementation and reporting progress regularly to the PM, and the Deputy PM and head of the national steering committee, on the implementation of anti-IUU tasks by relevant ministries, sectors and localities.

VNA

Other News

National Assembly Chairman urges renovation in leadership, working style

National Assembly Chairman urges renovation in leadership, working style

The NA's Committee for Cultural and Social Affairs has moved fast to reshuffle its organisation after the 14th National Party Congress and the election of deputies to the 16th NA, updating its work agenda to match new directives set out in the resolutions of the 14th National Party Congress and the first Congress of the NA Party Organisation for the 2025–2030 term.

Vietnam treasures ties with Croatia: PM

Vietnam treasures ties with Croatia: PM

Vietnam and Croatia should strive to double bilateral trade turnover from the current level of 161 million USD; study the establishment of a Joint Committee on Economic Cooperation to create a long-term, stable, and effective framework for collaboration, said Prime Minister Le Minh Hung.

President Ho Chi Minh's enduring legacy highlighted at Venezuela commemoration

President Ho Chi Minh's enduring legacy highlighted at Venezuela commemoration

Vice President of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) Jesús Faria expressed deep admiration for President Ho Chi Minh and Vietnam’s indomitable struggle for national independence. He described President Ho Chi Minh as an immortal symbol of 20th-century national liberation movements, whose legacy continues to inspire leftist parties, progressive movements, and peoples across Latin America, including Venezuela.

Vietnam proposes key cooperation orientations at BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting

Vietnam proposes key cooperation orientations at BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting

Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Minh Hang shared Vietnam’s approach to building an independent and self-reliant economy linked to deep international integration, while proposing several key areas for enhanced cooperation between BRICS and partner countries at the Expanded BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting that opened on May 14 in India.

Vietnam asks parties to respect its sovereignty over Truong Sa

Vietnam asks parties to respect its sovereignty over Truong Sa

PSNews - The spokesperson stated that the dispatch of personnel by relevant parties to features belonging to Truong Sa without Vietnam’s permission constitutes a violation of Vietnam’s sovereignty under international law. She stressed that such actions run counter to the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) as well as ongoing efforts by countries to negotiate a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).

Hanoi to host ASEAN Future Forum 2026 in mid-June

Hanoi to host ASEAN Future Forum 2026 in mid-June

PSNews - Vietnam’s proposals placed the highest priority on ensuring a peaceful and stable environment conducive for continued sustainable development and improving the well-being and happiness of the ASEAN people. They were praised by member states and incorporated into the core contents of the ASEAN Leaders’ Statement on the response to the Middle East crisis.

Vietnam promotes cooperation with United Nations on crime prevention

Vietnam promotes cooperation with United Nations on crime prevention

Vietnam highly values the support of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in strengthening national capacity in crime prevention and criminal justice, drug control, and addressing emerging challenges, particularly cybercrime, said Ambassador Vu Le Thai Hoang.

Party, State leader calls for consolidation of central steering committees on legal, judicial reform

Party, State leader calls for consolidation of central steering committees on legal, judicial reform

Consolidating the central steering committees for institutional and legal reform and for judicial reform is necessary in order to streamline organisational structures without reducing responsibilities, while ensuring clear accountability, measurable outputs and concrete results. Following the restructuring, the body will be renamed the central steering committee for institutional improvement and law enforcement, with the Party General Secretary and State President serving as its head.

Vietnam strives for substantive outcome at NPT review conference

Vietnam strives for substantive outcome at NPT review conference

At the meeting this week, Ambassador Viet briefed the UNGA President on developments during the first two weeks of the conference. He stressed that the current international geopolitical landscape poses numerous complex challenges, while reaffirming Vietnam’s determination, together with other member states, to promote substantive and balanced outcomes at the conference.

Top leader of Vietnam receives Vientiane official in Hanoi

Top leader of Vietnam receives Vientiane official in Hanoi

The host leader stressed that cooperation between localities, particularly between the capitals of Hanoi and Vientiane, plays an especially important role as a pioneering force in effectively implementing the foreign polices of the two Parties and States, while also serving as a bridge between politics and development, as well as between strategy and concrete action.