On the afternoon of July 22, at the Command (BTL) of Coast Guard Region 4 (Phu Quoc Special Zone, An Giang Province), the Steering Committee of the Vietnam Coast Guard on IUU held a Conference to evaluate the results of the implementation of the task of combating illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing in the first 6 months of 2025.
The conference was attended by Heads of the competent agencies of the Vietnam Coast Guard; Heads of the Commands of the Coast Guard regions 3, 4 and delegates of the agencies and units of the military region 7; Military Region 9; Navy; Border Guard; Department of Fisheries and Fisheries Control/Ministry of Agriculture and Environment; Department of Fisheries and Fisheries Control of An Giang province.
The conference focused on comprehensively assessing the leadership, direction and results of the implementation of the task of combating IUU fishing in the first 6 months of 2025; analyzing the shortcomings, limitations, clearly identifying the causes and responsibilities, and at the same time proposing measures to thoroughly prevent fishing vessels from violating foreign waters; effectively handling IUU fishing vessels, ready for the 5th inspection of the European Commission (EC).
In the first 6 months of 2025, the Vietnam Coast Guard has synchronously and comprehensively deployed solutions to combat IUU fishing and achieved many important results. Notably: Direct agencies and units to grasp the situation, control, monitor and closely monitor fishing vessels operating in coastal areas.
Timely call for, propagate, and remind 12,298 fishing vessels that have lost VMS signals, with a high risk of crossing the border into foreign waters. Strictly maintain forces and means on patrol to control and combat IUU fishing in key sea areas, especially those bordering Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, and the historical country of Vietnam - Cambodia.
Strictly handle violations of IUU fishing laws, have issued records to sanction administrative violations of IUU in 214 cases/216 ships/285 subjects, with a total fine of more than 2.9 billion VND. detected, inspected, and arrested 25 cases/34 fishing vessels/223 with serious IUU violations, 10 VMS devices and 2 sets of electric shock tools...
Concluding the Conference, Major General Le Dinh Cuong - Deputy Commander - Chief of Staff, Head of the Steering Committee of the Vietnam Coast Guard on IUU emphasized: In the last 6 months of 2025, agencies and units in the entire Coast Guard and joint forces need to continue to thoroughly grasp and strictly implement the Directives, Resolutions, plans at all levels, organize the drastic, synchronous and comprehensive implementation of solutions to combat IUU fishing, with the goal of removing the EC's "yellow card" in 2025. Maintain patrol and control forces in key coastal areas, especially border areas; strictly handle violations such as removing VMS equipment, turning off VMS equipment, exploiting in violation of regulations, resolutely prevent and end the situation of fishing vessels violating foreign waters before the EC inspection.
Closely coordinate with coastal forces and local authorities to innovate propaganda and dissemination of laws to fishermen; strengthen inspection and supervision of forces against IUU fishing, inspect compliance with monitoring and enforcement of laws in the fisheries sector on IUU fishing prevention and control. Strengthen international cooperation to improve the capacity to enforce the law and the position of the Vietnam Coast Guard in the region, regularly exchange and grasp the situation of Vietnamese fishing vessels violating the waters of the neighboring country for coordination in handling. Coordinate with the forces to do all preparations well to welcome and work with the EC Inspection Team during the 5th working trip to Vietnam.
