Prime Minister sets target to end IUU fishing by end of November 2025

(Baohatinh.vn) - Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh requested ministries, branches and localities to continue to strictly handle IUU fishing violations. If the implementation continues to be ineffective, the heads will be disciplined.

On the afternoon of September 30, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha chaired the 15th online meeting of the National Steering Committee on Combating Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing (IUU) with ministries, sectors and coastal localities.

Leaders of the Department of Agriculture and Environment operate the Ha Tinh bridge point.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh chairs the 15th meeting of the IUU Steering Committee - Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

During the peak period, the fight against IUU fishing had some positive changes; the results of investigations and verifications to handle fishing vessels violating foreign waters changed significantly.

The results of week 39/2025 were higher than the previous week. The number of unlicensed fishing vessels nationwide continued to decrease to 8,708 (down 359 vessels). During the week, 311 vessels were deregistered, reducing the number of fishing vessels that were not qualified to operate by 274. To date, 28,052/28,318 (99.06%) vessels have installed VMS, leaving 266 fishing vessels that have not installed VMS (down 05 vessels compared to the previous week).

Delegates at Ha Tinh bridge point.

Since September 6, 2025, there have been no official records of fishing vessels violating foreign waters being arrested or handled. To date, 59 IUU fishing violations have been handled, and no new cases have arisen this week.

However, in recent times, many cases of illegal fishing boats have sunk, and there was no positioning equipment on board. It is necessary to review management measures, find solutions to rectify and handle cases of illegal fishing and exploitation of seafood more severely.

Delegates follow the meeting.

In Ha Tinh, there are currently 3,982 fishing vessels registered and updated in the national fisheries database system, reaching 100%; 3,977 fishing licenses have been issued and extended; 100% of fishing vessels have written registration numbers and marked fishing vessels, checked and updated information; 2,156 fishing vessels with 3 nos have registered; there are no fishing vessels or fishermen violating the regulations on fishing in foreign waters. However, up to now, some indicators have not reached 100%; fishing infrastructure has not ensured IUU fishing.

At the meeting, delegates reported on the implementation results, discussed and pointed out existing problems and difficulties. From there, they proposed solutions to remove the "bottlenecks" that are hindering Vietnam's efforts to remove the IUU "yellow card".

Concluding the meeting, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh emphasized that there is not much time left to remove the EC's "yellow card", so each ministry, sector and locality must identify this as an important and urgent political task, associated with national prestige.

The Prime Minister frankly pointed out that although there have been continued positive changes, many tasks have not had fundamental changes - Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

The Prime Minister requested local Party committees and authorities to strengthen inspection, supervision, and strictly handle violations; at the same time, promote the responsibility of leaders; if fishing vessels illegally exploit foreign waters, disciplinary action will be considered and responsibility will be handled. Any cases of non-compliance must be strictly handled according to the law; any ministries, branches, and localities that do not perform well, especially the leaders, must be handled according to Party regulations and State laws.

The Prime Minister also directed the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment to coordinate with relevant ministries and sectors to strengthen patrols, control, and strictly manage fishing vessels, and resolutely prevent fishing vessels from violating their operations. At the same time, it is necessary to continue reviewing and perfecting the legal system, policy mechanisms, and ensuring consistency, feasibility, and effectiveness in practice.

Localities must step up propaganda for fishermen, support fishermen to convert to sustainable livelihoods, move towards modern fisheries, contribute to protecting aquatic resources and national image in the international arena...

The Prime Minister set a target of ending IUU fishing by the end of November 2025, because this is related to the country's honor and the people's interests.

Source: https://baohatinh.vn/thu-tuong-dat-muc-tieu-den-het-thang-112025-cham-dut-khai-thac-iuu-post296569.html