Vietnam tightens coastal fishing fleet oversight to combat illegal operations

Regulatory agencies across Vietnam's coastal provinces are intensifying efforts to maintain stricter control over fishing fleets and ensure traceability of seafood products entering the supply chain. The directive requires local authorities to cross-reference vessel records against VNFishbase, the country's centralized fisheries database, to verify compliance and operational legitimacy.

Under the new requirements, officials must ensure that critical information—including vessel registration details, technical inspection records, fishing licenses, and vessel monitoring system (VMS) data—is updated completely and accurately. Each fishing boat's operational status must be tracked and maintained in real time within the national system to prevent gaps that could be exploited for illegal activities.

The push reflects Vietnam's broader campaign against illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, a persistent challenge that threatens marine resources and undermines legitimate fisheries operations. Deputy Prime Minister has previously called for strict implementation of five specific compliance measures to combat IUU fishing and address the country's previous "yellow card" warning from international authorities.

Dak Lak and Tay Ninh provinces have already launched awareness campaigns and tightened management protocols as part of regional efforts to strengthen the regulatory framework. Officials emphasized that systematic database synchronization and regular vessel verification are essential to maintaining Vietnam's international standing in fisheries management and ensuring sustainable marine practices.

Photo: Fishing boats in Mui Ne harbour, Vietnam, February 2008. Vyacheslav Argenberg via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0).