A border guard distributes leaflets on anti-IUU fishing regulations to fishermen. (Photo: VNA)
 

 Authorities in the Mekong Delta province of Dong Thap will continue implementing coordinated measures to improve the effectiveness of the fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, contributing to national efforts to have the European Commission (EC)'s “yellow card” warning lifted.

According to the provincial People’s Committee, the measures include the effective implementation of relevant directives, resolutions and official dispatches, as well as stronger public information campaigns aimed at raising awareness among fishermen and vessel owners about compliance with fisheries regulations. Officials will be assigned to directly monitor and assist vessel owners in complying with requirements for the management and control of fishing vessels operating at sea.

The province will step up inspection and monitoring of fishing vessels entering and leaving ports and operating at sea, particularly those considered at high risk of committing violations. Relevant agencies will enhance coordination in monitoring vessel movements and promptly detect and strictly handle cases in which vessel monitoring systems lose connection or vessels violate fisheries regulations or show signs of encroaching on foreign waters.

At the same time, Dong Thap will continue to refine and implement its sustainable fisheries development plan for 2026-2030, aimed at improving fisheries management, protecting marine resources and meeting the EC’s recommendations on combating IUU fishing.

According to local authorities, the province currently has 1,510 registered fishing vessels engaged in fisheries exploitation. To date, 100% of active vessels have been registered, inspected, licensed and properly marked in accordance with regulations.

Alongside fleet management, authorities have prioritised the installation and operation of vessel monitoring systems (VMS). Of the 935 vessels required to install monitoring devices, 906 active ones have already installed and maintained operational connections, achieving 100% compliance among those eligible for fishing activities. The remaining vessels are largely damaged, inactive or currently under review in accordance with regulations.

Dong Thap currently operates two Category II fishing ports – My Tho and Vam Lang, which meet local fishermen's demand for unloading catches. Since 2024, the ports have processed 11,773 vessel arrivals, with total seafood landings exceeding 80,982 tonnes.

Since the beginning of 2026, nearly 1,200 vessel arrivals have been recorded at the ports, with 667 tonnes of seafood unloaded. All landed catches have been fully recorded in the national electronic traceability system in accordance with regulations.

Notably, since 2024, no fishing vessels from Dong Thap have been found violating foreign waters, while incidents of vessels crossing permitted fishing boundaries have been strictly controlled. These efforts have contributed to the effective implementation of the EC’s recommendations on combating IUU fishing.

In addition, the province has intensified public outreach to disseminate fisheries regulations among vessel owners, captains and fishermen. Authorities also maintain round-the-clock monitoring of fishing vessel movements through the VMS system, enabling timely warnings to vessels at risk of violations.

VNA