 Fisheries management agencies monitor fishing vessels at sea through satellite positioning systems. (Photo: Thanh Long/VOV) |
Preparing for a new voyage, Do Tan Vuong, captain of a fishing vessel reminds his crew to check all onboard electronic systems. He carefully checks his fish finders, vessel monitoring systems (VMS), and navigation devices. Vuong says technology plays a vital role in any successful fishing trip.
Vuong said: “Without modern equipment, our catches would be very low. We need modern equipment to improve our catches.”
 Fisherman Do Tan Vuong on his fishing boat. (Photo: Thanh Long/VOV) |
Fishermen in central Vietnam are adopting advanced technologies, upgrading boats, installing fish finders, and using Vessel Monitoring System (VMS), electronic logbooks, and the Electronic Catch Documentation and Traceability (eCDT) reporting system to standardize fishing activities in line with new regulations.
The electronic logbook updates in real time fishing coordinates, catch volumes by species, and fishing time and transmits the data directly to management authorities. This ensures accurate data is stored for monitoring, inspection, and seafood traceability upon landing.
Captain Nguyen Tan Danh of Tra Cau ward, Quang Ngai province, said: “My boat, over 15 meters long, is registered for offshore fishing and fully equipped with all required documentation. The management authorities of My A port guided us in installing software to ensure accurate record-keeping.”
The use of eCDT and VMS allows fishing port authorities to monitor vessel activities from departure to arrival.
 Fish finder equipment installed on fisherman Do Tan Vuong's fishing boat. (Photo: Thanh Long/VOV) |
Nguyen Duc Binh, Deputy Director of the provincial Department of Agriculture and Environment, said: “To align with current fishing grounds and comply with State regulations and market requirements, fishermen have built a new vessel or refitted and upgraded their old boat and invested in fish finders to improve fishing efficiency.”
Quang Ngai province has nearly 3,000 fishing vessels of 15 meters or longer that are qualified for offshore operations. Modern technologies are enhancing their productivity while ensuring their compliance with IUU standards.