Focus on implementing urgent solutions to remove the IUU "yellow card" by 2025

Attending were Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha, Head of the National Steering Committee on IUU; leaders of relevant ministries and branches.

Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Nguyen Thien Van chaired at the Dak Lak bridge. Also attending were leaders of relevant departments and branches and leaders of the People's Committees of 12 coastal communes and wards.

The Prime Minister chaired the 14th meeting of the Steering Committee against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing - Photo: VGP

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh chaired the meeting. Photo: VGP

According to a report by the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, the country currently has 81,394 fishing vessels (with a length of 6 m or more) registered and updated on the national fisheries database (VNFishbase), of which 72,327 fishing vessels have valid fishing licenses (accounting for 88.9%); 28,083/28,354 fishing vessels have installed VMS equipment according to regulations...

With the drastic participation of the entire political system, the fight against IUU fishing has achieved many remarkable results. The violation situation has decreased significantly compared to the same period in 2024.

Specifically: as of September 15, 2025, the whole country recorded 29 fishing vessels being arrested and processed by foreign countries (a decrease of 29 vessels). The number of fishing vessels over 24 m in length violating regulations on losing connection to the voyage monitoring device (VMS) also decreased sharply: the number of vessels losing connection for more than 6 hours was 193 (a decrease of 81.4%); the number of vessels losing connection for more than 10 days was 24 (a decrease of 78%).

To date, local police have investigated and prosecuted 43 criminal cases related to IUU, prosecuted and brought to public trial 11 cases/19 subjects...

Delegates attending the meeting at the Hanoi bridge point. Photo: VGP

However, the situation of fishing vessels violating foreign waters has not been completely prevented, especially in the provinces of An Giang, Ca Mau, Ho Chi Minh City, Dak Lak and Lam Dong. The control of fishing vessels at ports is not strict, with the update rate on the electronic traceability system (eCDT) only reaching about 27%. Nationwide, there are still 9,657 fishing vessels that are not qualified to operate (not registered, licensed, or equipped with VMS).

To thoroughly overcome the problem, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment has recommended that the Prime Minister direct ministries, branches and coastal localities to continue to focus resources, increase patrols in border waters, strictly handle all violations and tightly control fishing vessels entering and leaving ports, determined to successfully achieve the goal of removing the IUU "yellow card" warning as soon as possible.

Delegates attending at Dak Lak bridge point.

Speaking at the meeting, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh emphasized that after 8 years, despite many efforts, there are still cases of illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, and the European Commission (EC) has not yet removed the IUU “yellow card” warning. Violations have affected seafood exports, the economy, and the country’s reputation.

The Prime Minister affirmed that removing the IUU “yellow card” warning is an urgent, important and long-term task for the sustainable development of the fisheries sector. Therefore, ministries, branches and localities are required to specifically assess the situation and enhance the role and responsibility in the leadership, direction and management of Party committees and authorities at all levels in removing the IUU “yellow card”; step up propaganda work to raise people’s awareness; thoroughly handle violations; focus on digitalization in fisheries exploitation...

At the same time, implement drastic solutions, in the spirit of "what is said must be done, what is committed must be done effectively", strictly implement Directive No. 32-CT/TW dated April 10, 2024 of the Secretariat on strengthening the Party's leadership in the fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and sustainable development of the fisheries sector.

Source: https://baodaklak.vn/kinh-te/202509/tap-trung-thuc-hien-cac-giai-phap-cap-bach-go-the-vang-iuu-trong-nam-2025-71214ba/