Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha speaks at a meeting of the National Steering Committee on combating illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, Hanoi, January 27, 2026.

He stressed the need to ensure that data systems, such as the Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) and the national fisheries database management software (VN Fishbase), are fully interconnected and regularly updated.

The Deputy Prime Minister urged a comprehensive review of all administrative sanction records, with careful examination of each case to ensure violations have been fully handled in accordance with the law.

He assigned the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment to inspect and supervise the implementation of measures addressing issues raised by the EC. Local leaders must develop their own inspection and supervision plans and ensure effective implementation, Mr. Ha said, stressing that all forces must be mobilized to get the job done.

Nguyen Van Thao, Vietnam’s Ambassador to Belgium, Luxembourg, and the European Union, said the EC highly appreciates Vietnam’s seriousness in implementing its recommendations.

The EC particularly welcomed the establishment of an inspection system spanning from the central to local levels. According to the EC, data released by Vietnam shows clear progress over the years, especially in 2025, Ambassador Thao noted.