 An overview of the conference (Photo: Ha Phuong/VOV) |
A conference in Hanoi on Monday reviewed one month of a peak campaign to end violations of illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, during which the Vietnam Coast Guard mobilized 2,500 officers and soldiers, 5 task units, and 34 ships to maintain 24/7 patrols in the Gulf of Tonkin, the Truong Sa special zone, and border waters.
Onshore, Border Guard forces inspected all vessels entering and leaving ports and required full legal documentation before any vessel could depart.
 Lieutenant General Le Quang Dao, Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army, head of the steering committee on combating IUU fishing (Photo: Ha Phuong/VOV) |
Lieutenant General Le Quang Dao, Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army, said close coordination between the Border Guard, Coast Guard, and Navy has formed a tight enforcement posture against illegal fishing.
“We have the forces and means in place, all fully mobilized with clearly assigned responsibilities. The military, fisheries surveillance, relevant ministries, and central and local authorities are determined to get the EC to lift its yellow card after eight years,” said Mr. Dao.
Vu Duyen Hai, Deputy Director of the Fisheries and Fisheries Surveillance Department at the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, said increased inspections and enforcement efforts are having a positive impact on Vietnam’s fisheries sector.
“In a very short period we have coordinated all measures. The Coast Guard’s patrol, inspection, and law enforcement operations at sea have significantly contributed to Vietnam’s fight against IUU fishing by reducing the number of vessels violating maritime regulations. This achievement was aided by the Coast Guard and the Ministry of National Defense,” said Mr. Hai.
 Vu Duyen Hai, Deputy Director of the Fisheries and Fisheries Surveillance Department, speaks at the conference. (Photo: Ha Phuong/VOV) |
Conference participants stressed the need to strictly maintain IUU prevention measures to get the “yellow card” lifted and build a sustainable, responsible fisheries industry as international integration deepens.
The Coast Guard outlined five priority tasks to tighten fishing management: increase at-sea patrol hours 20–30%, especially in high-risk areas; maintain strict control of all vessels entering and leaving ports; severely penalize boats that deliberately switch off or remove their Vessel Monitoring System device; and expand public awareness campaigns.