Ninh Binh determined not to have IUU fishing violations left unresolved

Under the plan to implement corrective measures in response to the recommendations of the European Commission at its fifth inspection on IUU fishing, Ninh Binh has set specific targets to address outstanding issues and limit violations at sea, particularly those related to IUU fishing.

Accordingly, verification must be substantive, while all records, data and supporting documents must be fully prepared to work with the EC and contribute to the nationwide effort to have the EC’s “yellow card” on Vietnam’s seafood industry removed in 2026. At the same time, the province aims to strengthen fisheries management, prevent violations and develop sustainable fisheries.

One of the targets is to ensure that 100% of registered fishing vessels have complete and accurate information updated promptly on the national fisheries database (VNFishbase), including vessel owners, locations, vessel status and operating areas. The province will also ensure that 100% of fishing vessels are equipped with vessel monitoring systems (VMS), and that their equipment is inspected when vessels leave and enter ports.

Any cases involving loss of connection, crossing permitted boundaries or attempts to interfere with VMS equipment must be detected and promptly warned, and the vessels must be thoroughly inspected and handled in accordance with regulations.

The province will also ensure that 100% of trips made by fishing vessels with a length of 6 meters or more are recorded when entering and leaving ports and have information entered into the electronic catch documentation system (eCDT). Fishing vessels with no valid data on the system will not be allowed to leave port until their information is fully updated. Vessels that commit IUU fishing violations will be thoroughly investigated and handled in accordance with their competence and within the prescribed time limits. Results must be promptly updated in the national fisheries database.

At the same time, Ninh Binh will strictly prevent, monitor and take decisive action against fishing vessels from the province that violate regulations while operating in foreign waters. All violations will be investigated, handled and the responsibilities of relevant organizations and individuals determined in accordance with regulations.

In law enforcement, Ninh Binh requires strict application of sanctions and additional remedial measures, ensuring consistent and proper handling without omission. Cases involving violations must be handled in accordance with regulations, with cases subject to administrative penalties resolved within no more than 60 days from the date the case is established. For prolonged cases, the causes and responsibilities must be clearly identified.

For vessels showing signs of criminal activity, such as organizing illegal fishing, taking vessels into foreign waters, falsifying records or falsifying the origin of catches, or interfering with VMS equipment, authorities are required to investigate and handle the cases in accordance with the law.

Determined to complete the EC’s recommendations fully and substantively, Ninh Binh has launched a peak campaign to combat IUU fishing across the province through September 15, 2026.

During this campaign, the Provincial People’s Committee has instructed relevant departments and commune-level People’s Committees with fishing vessels to focus on outstanding tasks, particularly vessel registration, inspection and licensing; installation and maintenance of VMS; monitoring vessel departure and arrival; updating VNFishbase and eCDT data; tracing the origin of catches; and handling cases in which fishing vessels commit IUU fishing violations in foreign waters. Authorities are also required to organize inspections and assign clear responsibilities to agencies, units and individuals for each task and each vessel at high risk of violating regulations.

For commune-level authorities with fishing vessels, the Provincial People’s Committee has requested stronger dissemination of regulations on combating IUU fishing and warnings about the consequences of violating regulations in fishing activities.

Local authorities must review and compile information on fishing vessels, establish and manage lists of vessels that are not eligible for fishing activities, ensure that information on vessel owners is accurate, and regularly update lists of vessels that have committed IUU violations or are at high risk of such violations for monitoring and early warning.

In addition, authorities must review all fishing ports in the area to ensure proper handling and suspension of operations at ports that fail to comply with regulations or cause difficulties or obstacles to fishing vessel management and fisheries production statistics.

The plan particularly emphasizes that the Chairpersons of commune-level People’s Committees with fishing vessels must take responsibility if vessels from their localities violate regulations while operating in foreign waters.

The Provincial People’s Committee has assigned the Department of Agriculture and Environment to monitor and consolidate implementation results and report to the Provincial People’s Committee. The Department of Agriculture and Environment is also responsible for coordinating and summarizing the implementation of IUU fishing prevention and control tasks assigned to relevant departments and localities.