Bolstering and equipping fishermen to confidently remain at sea

A dependable pillar on the maritime frontline

A working delegation led by Lieutenant General Bui Quoc Oai, Secretary of the Party Committee and Political Commissar of the Viet Nam Coast Guard, has recently executed a fact-finding mission to the coastal island communes of Nhon Chau in Gia Lai Province, the Ly Son Special Zone in Quang Ngai Province, and Tan Hiep Island Commune in Da Nang City.

In addition to collecting information to bolster strategic advisory work on managing and protecting national sovereignty over the sea and islands, the delegation also directly assessed the lives of fishermen and the development of the marine economy, promoted legal awareness, and presented gifts, scholarships, national flags, and medical kits with a total value of more than 360 million VND.

On July 14, during the 2026 survey mission to the central coastal waters, while operating about 15 nautical miles offshore in the waters of Gia Lai Province, the delegation promptly administered first aid to a fisherman who had sustained serious burns while working at sea. During an inspection of fishing vessel BD 91438 TS, the delegation identified a male crew member, approximately 60 years old, who had sustained severe burns to his leg caused by hot cooking oil.

Immediately after receiving the information, the Coast Guard forces deployed military medical personnel to board the vessel, evaluate the injured fisherman, provide emergency treatment, treat the burns, and supply medication to reduce the risk of infection. They also counselled the captain to transport the injured crew member to shore as soon as possible for further medical treatment to prevent his condition from worsening. These timely and practical actions once again illustrated that the Viet Nam Coast Guard remains a steadfast pillar of support for fishermen on every offshore voyage.

Lieutenant General Bui Quoc Oai emphasised that forging the "people's heart and mind posture at sea" is a strategic task that provides a solid foundation for protecting national sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction at sea. When equipped with legal knowledge, confidence, and the necessary conditions to operate at sea, every fishing vessel becomes a "living landmark", while every fisherman becomes a vital support and frontline shield in defending the nation's sovereignty over the sea and islands.

To forge the "people's heart and mind posture at sea", the Viet Nam Coast Guard has executed multiple practical programmes, including "The Coast Guard accompanies fishermen" and "I love my homeland's sea and islands". These initiatives have elevated legal awareness, supported fishermen in preventing IUU (illegal, unreported, and unregulated) fishing, maintained law enforcement, rescue operations, and ensured the safety of fishermen at sea.

"Fishermen should always feel confident about heading offshore and sustaining their fishing operations. Together with the Viet Nam Coast Guard, the navy and other competent forces, we are determined to firmly safeguard the sacred sovereignty of the nation's sea and islands. The Viet Nam Coast Guard will always stand alongside fishermen, ready to support and protect them in every situation, contributing to forging a safe, favourable, and law-abiding operating environment at sea," Lieutenant General Bui Quoc Oai affirmed.

Elevating awareness of compliance with the law at sea

These days, at Ly Son Fishing Port in the Ly Son Special Zone of Quang Ngai Province, fishermen are actively renewing the national flags displayed at the bows of their vessels, checking equipment, replenishing fishing gear, food supplies, fuel, and other essential items in preparation for long offshore fishing trips.

Duong Quang Dao, a crew member of fishing vessel QNg 96597, stated that the support delivered by the Viet Nam Coast Guard has not only given fishermen greater confidence and peace of mind but has also enhanced their understanding of the Law of the Sea of Viet Nam, the Fisheries Law, and regulations relating to marine environmental protection, maritime safety, and sustainable fishing.

"Our fishing vessels always keep their positioning systems switched on, whether leaving port or anchored. We clearly understand which fishing grounds are permitted and which are prohibited. Recently, several fishing vessels from Quang Ngai were penalised for IUU fishing violations, so we are now even more careful to comply with the law and avoid any violations," Dao stated.

Nguyen Van Huy, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of the People's Committee of the Ly Son Special Zone, stated that the locality currently has more than 500 fishing vessels with a combined engine capacity of approximately 95,000 horsepower, including 280 offshore fishing vessels and more than 200 coastal fishing vessels. The special zone is actively executing measures to combat IUU fishing by strengthening fishing vessel management, ensuring that all vessels required to do so are equipped with vessel monitoring systems, and amplifying public awareness campaigns encouraging fishermen to strictly comply with both Vietnamese and international law.

"The local authorities are committed to standing alongside fishermen by promptly executing the State's support policies. Priority is being given to disbursing fuel subsidies and other support packages under Decision No. 48/2010/QD-TTg, dated July 13, 2010, issued by the Prime Minister on policies to encourage and support marine fishing, aquaculture, and fisheries support services in maritime areas, thereby equipping fishermen with greater economic support," Huy said.

Pham Thi My Huong, Chairwoman of the People's Committee of Tan Hiep Commune, Da Nang City, observed that Tan Hiep is the city's only island commune and occupies a strategic position in terms of national defence, security, and marine economic development. However, the locality continues to face many difficulties and demands further attention and support to secure sustainable marine economic development while fortifying national defence, security, and building the defence zone, thereby contributing to defending the nation's maritime sovereignty.

Colonel Tran Hong Que, Deputy Political Commissar of Coast Guard Region 2, stated that during the first six months of 2026, Coast Guard Region 2 deployed personnel and vessels to conduct patrols, inspections, maritime law enforcement, and measures to prevent foreign fishing vessels from entering Vietnamese waters illegally. Operations focused particularly on the waters located 35 to 70 nautical miles northeast and southeast of Ly Son. The unit also continued to execute effective measures to combat IUU fishing. As a result, it levied administrative penalties in 149 cases involving 152 vessels, with total fines amounting to 2.4 billion VND, and referred 13 cases involving 15 vessels to local authorities for further investigation and handling.

"What we hope for is not only that people understand the law, but more importantly that they gradually cultivate a sense of voluntary compliance. They not only operate in accordance with regulations, but they also actively advocate and encourage their relatives and fellow fishermen to do the same, contributing to forging a civilised, united, responsible, and sustainable fishing community," Colonel Tran Hong Que emphasised.