(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On February 4, a working delegation led by the Authority of Telecommunications (Ministry of Science and Technology) met with the Management Board of Cat Lo Fishing Port (Phuoc Thang Ward, Ho Chi Minh City) to comprehensively review the installation of Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS), assess signal connectivity, and evaluate the effectiveness of information technology applications in fisheries management across the city.
The inspection focused on three main areas: the quality of VMS equipment and connectivity; the operation of digital platforms and fisheries databases; and the interoperability and data-sharing capacity among existing systems. These are considered “bottlenecks” directly affecting vessel monitoring and the prevention of illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
According to Mr. Nguyen Phong Nha, Deputy Director of the Authority of Telecommunications and head of the delegation, implementation in Ho Chi Minh City shows that many fishing vessel management software systems are operating separately and lack synchronization. Data among systems are not fully aligned, creating difficulties for authorities in tracking vessel movements, controlling fishing activities, and handling violations.
The inspection also recorded cases of prolonged VMS signal loss on some vessels. Installing two to three monitoring devices on the same vessel has caused overlapping management and made it difficult to determine accurate data. In addition, many docked vessels are still required to maintain VMS signals, leading to power consumption and reduced battery life. Data transmission from service providers to the central management system remains slow and unstable, undermining real-time monitoring efficiency.
Beyond hardware infrastructure, IT applications in fisheries management have also revealed limitations. Port management software and electronic fishing logbooks have been deployed but are not yet interconnected. Multiple systems operate in parallel, with fragmented and non-integrated data. The transition from paper logbooks to electronic logs has caused confusion for some fishermen, particularly in offshore areas with weak signals where data transmission is challenging. Notably, the current port management software only updates sanction results and does not yet meet data-sharing requirements for modern management tools such as electronic fines, reducing deterrence effectiveness and transparency in law enforcement.
Based on these findings, the Ho Chi Minh City Sub-Department of Fisheries and Fisheries Surveillance proposed that the delegation consider adjusting certain regulations to better reflect actual offshore fishing conditions, such as reducing the frequency of voyage reporting and allowing flexible handling of signal loss caused by objective factors. The agency also proposed adding procedures for using data from technical devices as evidence, strengthening data application, and encouraging the installation of backup satellite communication devices to ensure uninterrupted information flow.
A representative of the delegation stated that the inspection aimed to identify practical difficulties and promptly address technical bottlenecks, while urging enterprises to enhance systems and improve connectivity quality. On that basis, the delegation will compile recommendations and advise the Government and relevant ministries on improving mechanisms and policies to enhance fisheries management through digital technology.