Lifting the IUU 'yellow card': [1] Fisherpeople join forces

Fisherpeople report before departure, declare upon return

Mr. Vo Ngoc Tung, Chairman of the Phuoc Dong Fisheries Union in Nha Trang city (Khanh Hoa province), shared that the union currently has 30 vessels specializing in tuna, striped tuna, and frigate tuna, operating in the Spratly fishing grounds and around the DK1 offshore platforms. However, in recent years, aquatic resources have gradually declined, while costs per offshore trip have surged. This has made fishermen burdened with worries.

According to Mr. Tung, a 20-day offshore trip for tuna fishing costs VND 110–130 million. For striped tuna fishing using drag-nets, the cost rises to over VND 200 million per trip. As a result, if the catch volume is insufficient and purchase prices remain low, fishermen will suffer heavy losses.

"Since Vietnam's fisheries sector received the EC's 'yellow card,' purchase prices for various types of tuna have dropped significantly compared to previous years. Specifically, the price for tuna is at VND 100,000–110,000/kg, down VND 30,000–40,000/kg. Striped tuna is currently purchased at only VND 23,000/kg, much lower than before," said Mr. Tung.

Faced with this situation, fisherpeople hope the "yellow card" will be lifted soon. Only then can seafood exporters operate more smoothly, which could lead to higher purchase prices, helping fishermen stabilize their livelihoods and continue their offshore operations with confidence.

In fact, to contribute to lifting the "yellow card," members of the Phuoc Dong Fisheries Union's fishing fleet are strictly complying with all legal regulations in marine fishing activities.

Accordingly, all vessels have installed the vessel monitoring equipment (VMS). Before setting sail or upon returning to port, vessel owners or captains have all reported to functional agencies in accordance with regulations and submitted complete fishing logbooks. Most notably, none of the union's fishing vessels have violated foreign waters.

At the Fisheries Inspection and Surveillance Representative Office at Hon Ro fishing port, located in Phuoc Dong commune (Nha Trang city), functional agencies are closely monitoring fishing vessels from their department throughout the marine fishing process to their return to port.

Fisherman Ho Van Tuoi, captain of vessel KH 93449 TS at Hon Ro Port, stated, "We are strictly complying with all departure and return reporting procedures in the hope of contributing to the removal of the 'yellow card.' My vessel, for instance, has not violated IUU fishing for many years."

Mr. Nguyen Van Ba, Head of the Hon Ro Fishing Port Management Board, noted that thanks to awareness-raising campaigns, nearly all vessel owners and captains arriving at or departing from the port have strictly adhered to regulations on combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. Especially, local fishermen have become accustomed to the "report before departure, declare upon return" procedure in accordance with regulations as part of efforts to lift the EC's "yellow card."

Similarly, Mr. Ha Vien, Director of the Phu Yen Provincial Fishing Port Management Board, reported that fishermen in the province also strictly comply with port entry and exit regulations. This includes ensuring that the VMS equipment remains active 24/7 from departure until return and that fishing logbooks are properly recorded and submitted to functional agencies as a basis for traceability.

According to fisherman Tran Van Thu in Phu Dong ward (Tuy Hoa city), local fishermen are currently joining forces and taking concrete actions to help the fisheries sector achieve the goal of lifting the “yellow card” in the near future.

Many outstanding results

In recent years, Khanh Hoa and Phu Yen provinces, along with other coastal localities nationwide, have been actively implementing anti-IUU fishing measures as directed by the Party Secretariat, the Government, the Prime Minister, the Head of the National Steering Committee on Combating IUU Fishing, and Ministries.

Localities have achieved positive results. According to Mr. Nguyen Trong Chanh, Deputy Director of the Khanh Hoa Department of Agriculture and Environment, the entire province currently has 3,406 registered fishing vessels of at least 6 meters in length, all fully updated in the VnFishbase national fisheries database. In addition, 100% of vessels eligible for fishing activities have been marked and had their registration numbers painted on as required by law. The majority of these vessels have been installed with vessel monitoring equipment and have been issued fishing licenses.

For the list of vessels ineligible to operate and at high risk of IUU violations, provided weekly by the Department of Agriculture and Environment, the Provincial Border Guard Command has directed all stations and checkpoints to strictly monitor and firmly prevent these vessels from setting sail. Localities have assigned personnel to closely track vessel anchoring locations and submit photographic reports to the province.

Port Management Boards have developed procedures for inspecting fishing vessels and monitoring seafood unloading at ports, with all entry and exit inspection protocols publicly posted at the ports.  All vessels must notify the Port Management Board at least one hour before arrival or departure in accordance with regulations.

Fisheries Inspection and Surveillance Representative Offices, located at fishing ports across the province, have monitored vessel activities and supervised the unloading of seafood catches in compliance with the Law on Fisheries 2017, Circular No. 21/2018/TT-BNNPTNT, and Circular No. 01/2022/TT-BNNPTNT.

Functional forces, including the Sub-Department of Fisheries, Seas and Islands, the Border Guard, and localities, regularly coordinate to patrol, inspect, sanction, and prevent violations of IUU fishing in waters such as Nha Trang, Cam Ranh, Ninh Hoa, Van Ninh, and at fishing ports.

The Vessel Monitoring Center under the Provincial Sub-Department of Fisheries, Seas and Islands operates around the clock, with staff assigned to monitor signals from vessels operating at sea via the vessel monitoring system. All data is received and processed in accordance with regulations. The Center regularly exchanges information with the Border Guard Command, the Directorate of Fisheries, and other relevant agencies to coordinate the management of fishing vessels, particularly those operating in overlapping, disputed, or undefined maritime zones with neighboring countries. Data management and processing on the VMS system are implemented in line with regulatory procedures.

Thanks to these efforts, since the beginning of 2025, no fishing vessels have crossed permitted maritime boundaries or violated foreign waters in Khanh Hoa province.

In Phu Yen province, thanks to the efforts of local governments and functional agencies, particularly the active cooperation of fishermen, no vessels have violated foreign waters for many years.

The Khanh Hoa Provincial People's Committee has installed four information kiosks at fisheries inspection and control offices located at fishing ports, supporting fishermen and businesses to complete procedures via the electronic Catch Documentation and Traceability (eCDT) system.

* USD 1 = VND 25,900. Source: Vietcombank