Thai Binh (VNA) 🌼– With a coastline stretching over 50km, the northern province of Thai Binh has implemented a range of robust measures to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

The locality's efforts are part of the nation’s push to remove the European Commission's (EC) "yellow card" on Vietnamese seafood and enhance fishermen's understanding and compliance with fishing regulations. Lieutenant Colonel Tran Binh Trong, Deputy Commander of the Diem Dien Port Border Guard Station, said that hist unit is monitoring over 300 fishing vessels and more than 1,200 labourers operating at sea. As part of a peak campaign against IUU fishing launched earlier this year, the border guards have organised diverse communications campaigns to raise awareness of fishermen and vessel owners and require them to sign commitments to comply with such regulations. The station has also deployed personnel and resources to establish checkpoints at river mouths, conducting regular inspections of vessels entering and leaving ports. Vessels without proper documentation are strictly barred from departing, while those attempting to evade inspections face legal penalties. These comprehensive measures have led to notable improvements in fishermen's awareness and actions against IUU fishing. In addition to the awareness work, Thai Binh has strengthened monitoring mechanisms. The provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has directed the Fisheries Sub-department to form a dedicated team of seven officers who work around the clock to monitor fishing vessels. This team is tasked with detecting vessels that lose connection or cross maritime boundaries, asking vessel owners to ensure compliance with tracking regulations and operate within permitted fishing zones. They also collaborate with functional forces to investigate and handle violations. According to Hoang Minh Giang, Director of the Fisheries Sub-department, 700 fishing vessels in the province, including 166 measuring at least 15 meters in length, have been registered and updated in the national fishing vessel database (VnFishbase). All of them are equipped with vessel monitoring systems (VMS) and certified for food safety compliance. As a result, no incidents of local fishing vessels crossing maritime boundaries or infringing on foreign waters have been reported so far. This year, the force, in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, has continued to manage vessel registration, inspection, and licensing. Efforts to raise public awareness of territorial sovereignty and against IUU fishing have also been intensified through mobile communication campaigns at fishing ports and on vessels. A

s part of enforcement actions, authorities have identified and penalised 54 violations involving 55 vessels and 61 individuals, imposing fines amounting to over 600 million VND (23,610 USD), Giang said. Looking ahead, Thai Binh is determined to address existing challenges and contribute to the nationwide effort to remove the EC’s "yellow card", he said, adding that the province will conduct a thorough review in this regard, focusing on monitoring and controlling fishing activities and seafood production. The province aims to eliminate "three-nos" vessels—those lacking registration, inspection, and fishing licenses—by updating the VnFishbase database and ensuring all fishing activities are monitored through the VMS by December 31, 2024. A list of non-compliant vessels and those at high risk of violations will be handed over to relevant authorities for monitoring and management. With these proactive measures, Thai Binh is committed to strengthening compliance with fishing regulations and ensuring sustainable fishing practices in the province./.