On August 1, Deputy Prime Minister Trần Hồng Hà chaired an online conference on combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
At the Quảng Ngãi provincial site, the meeting was chaired by Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Trần Phước Hiền.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, significant efforts by ministries, sectors, and localities have led to notable progress in IUU prevention.
As of June 30, 2025, over 81,710 fishing vessels nationwide had been registered and updated in the national fisheries database (VNFishbase), and more than 28,160 vessels over 15 meters in length have installed vessel monitoring systems (VMS), achieving a coverage rate of over 99 per cent.
Localities are regularly updating lists of high-risk vessels on the VMS to support inspection and enforcement.
Violations related to VMS usage and incidents involving Vietnamese vessels detained by foreign authorities have both declined compared to the same period in 2024.
Regarding traceability, the Ministry reported continued implementation of the electronic catch documentation and traceability system (eCDT).
Fisheries management agencies are issuing origin certifications in accordance with regulations. Notably, since October 2023, no seafood export shipments to the EU have violated IUU regulations.
Deputy Prime Minister Trần Hồng Hà praised the efforts of all stakeholders and urged them to allocate resources, clarify responsibilities, and set clear deadlines.
He called for stricter monitoring and accountability to support Việt Nam's goal of having the EU "yellow card" lifted.
He tasked the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment with leading the development of a comprehensive monitoring and evaluation mechanism for sustainable fisheries management, ensuring long-term livelihoods for fishermen, and aligning with conservation goals.
The system should define clear roles and responsibilities and integrate data across agencies, including connections to the national population database.
M.H
