All efforts are being carried out with the spirit: “Combating IUU fishing is the responsibility of the entire political system and every fisherman”, with the shared goal of contributing to the nationwide effort to have the “yellow card” lifted in 2025.
Bringing the law closer to fishermen
Fully aware that communication is the “key” to changing fishermen’s behaviour, Nghe An’s Border Guard and fisheries sector have recently implemented several creative communication models, with theatricalised communication emerging as one of the most notable.
In Quynh Phu Commune (Nghe An), the programme “For a Sustainable Fishery” featuring the skit “The Stirring Fishing Village” attracted more than 700 participants, including vessel owners, captains, fishermen, and seafood business operators.
Through realistic scenarios reflecting fishermen’s daily lives, the audience gained a clearer understanding of the consequences of violating foreign waters, as well as the importance of keeping proper fishing logs and maintaining Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) equipment. Interspersed with the performances were interactive Q&A sessions between fishermen and enforcement officers, helping legal dissemination become more lively and easier to understand.
Fisherman Nguyen Huu Khuong shared: “The scenarios in the skit truly reflect our lives, so they are very easy to understand and remember. When going out to sea, everyone is more aware of not violating foreign waters and not using banned equipment.”
Colonel Tran Dang Khoa, Deputy Political Commissar of the Nghe An Border Guard, said: “Theatricalised communication is an innovative and effective approach, helping fishermen access the law more easily while fostering patriotism and the awareness of protecting maritime sovereignty.”
Based on this success, Nghe An has expanded the model to 11 coastal wards and communes, forming mobile “legal classrooms” where fishermen can directly exchange information with border guard officers, fisheries inspectors, and local authorities.
Thanks to these creative efforts, the rate of fishing vessels losing VMS connection has sharply decreased compared to the same period in 2024; fishermen are proactively keeping fishing logs, strictly complying with regulations on not violating foreign waters; and many offshore fishermen have voluntarily installed two VMS devices on a single vessel.
According to authorities of Nghe An, Thanh Hoa and Ha Tinh, after years of communication efforts, most fishermen now fully understand the importance of combating IUU fishing and consider it a shared responsibility for a sustainable fishery sector.
In Thanh Hoa, the movement to promote compliance with anti-IUU regulations has also spread widely. Tien Trang commune and other coastal localities have established communication teams and Zalo groups to manage fishing vessels, guiding owners in completing registration, inspections, and signing commitments for legal fishing activities. In 2024, Tien Trang handled seven cases of vessels losing VMS connection, including one case fined more than 100 million VND — demonstrating the locality’s strong enforcement stance.
Joining nationwide efforts to lift the “yellow card”
According to provincial Fisheries Sub-Departments, Nghe An, Thanh Hoa and Ha Tinh currently have around 13,000 fishing vessels, with 100% of offshore boats equipped with VMS. Most vessels have been properly marked, assigned ID numbers, and updated in the national VNFishbase system, ensuring transparency and facilitating traceability.
Combating IUU fishing is not only an immediate task but a long-term and continuous responsibility. The provinces must prepare complete documentation and evidence and be ready to welcome EC inspection teams, determined to join the nation's efforts to have the ‘yellow card’ removed by 2025.
Localities are also accelerating administrative reform, making it easier for fishermen to register, inspect, obtain fishing licenses and receive safety certificates. Meanwhile, major fishing ports are being upgraded and digitalised. Key ports such as Lach Bang, Lach Hoi, Hoa Loc (in Thanh Hoa Province), Quynh Phuong, Lạch Quen, Lach Con, Lach Van, Cua Hoi (Nghe An Province), and Cua Sot (Ha Tinh Province) now apply electronic reporting for incoming vessels.
Thanh Hoa has proposed designating Hai Chau Port to serve offshore vessels and support traceability procedures. Thanks to this, offloading output at designated ports has increased substantially. Le Dinh Thang, Director of Thanh Hoa Fishing Port, said: “Offloading output in 2025 is estimated at around 30,000 tonnes, nearly double that of 2024. Tight and transparent management has met EC traceability requirements, laying the foundation for lifting the ‘yellow card’ in the coming period.”
In parallel with communication and management efforts, Border Guard forces across the provinces are implementing strict controls at estuaries. Officers are on duty 24/24, checking departure and arrival documents, monitoring vessel movements via VMS, organising IUU violation response teams, and strengthening patrol and enforcement coordination.
Since January 2024, authorities in Nghe An, Ha Tinh and Thanh Hoa have imposed nearly 14.8 billion VND in fines on 800 cases of IUU-related violations.
Localities have also created community monitoring groups and coordinated with police to update vessel data onto the VNeID platform, assign vessel identification numbers, and track inactive boats or those losing VMS connection.
In early November, Nghe An launched an intensive campaign to inspect and handle VMS-loss cases, involving the Department of Agriculture and Environment, Fisheries Sub-Department, Fisheries Surveillance, and Border Guard Command. The task force worked directly with key fishing areas, requiring that 100% of vessels lacking complete documentation are prohibited from leaving port, while further enhancing communication to ensure fishermen maintain VMS connection and avoid violating foreign waters.
During a working session in Thanh Hoa Province, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Phung Duc Tien emphasised: “Combating IUU fishing is not only an immediate task but a long-term and continuous responsibility. The provinces must prepare complete documentation and evidence and be ready to welcome EC inspection teams, determined to join the nation's efforts to have the ‘yellow card’ removed by 2025.”
With the strong determination of the entire political system, the support of enforcement forces, and the growing awareness and responsibility of fishermen, the North Central provinces are making important contributions to the nationwide efforts to remove the EC’s “yellow card,” moving towards a sustainable, integrated, and internationally responsible fishery industry.
