Local leaders fully responsible for IUU violations

The Government leader made the request while addressing the 21st meeting of the National Steering Committee for IUU Fishing Combat with leaders of 21 coastal provinces and cities in Ha Noi on November 11. 

Prime Minister Pham said that combating IUU fishing is not only an economic imperative but also a matter of national dignity, reputation, and long-term interests.

The Government leader warned that ministry and provincial leaders would be held fully responsible for any recurrence of violations or delays in lifting the "yellow card." He instructed all relevant parties to concentrate their efforts during the crackdown, end "catch-at-all-cost" practices, and promote responsible, traceable, and sustainable fishing.

He called on ministries, agencies, and localities to widely disseminate the Government's stance, ensuring all officials, Party members, and fishermen understand the importance of eradicating IUU fishing.

Coastal localities were tasked with close monitoring, decisive leadership, and consistent enforcement to prevent any violations that could undermine national efforts. Weekly updates on high-risk vessels must be maintained to ensure transparency and accountability.

The Prime Minister set a firm deadline for the 14 localities that have yet to resolve Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) disconnection and boundary breach violations, requiring them to complete their work by November 16, 2025, with relevant collectives and individuals held accountable for any delays.

He reaffirmed the Government's unwavering commitment to ending IUU fishing and removing the EC's "yellow card" in 2025, paving the way for Viet Nam's fisheries sector to develop sustainably and maintain its global market reputation.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, vessel management has significantly improved, with 99.9 per cent of nearly 80,000 fishing vessels now registered in the national fisheries database. Ineligible vessels have been identified and placed under the management of local authorities to prevent illegal operations.

Law enforcement has also seen marked progress. Eight out of 22 localities have resolved outstanding administrative violations related to VMS disconnections and boundary breaches. From October 1 to November 7, authorities launched legal proceedings against 23 cases involving 31 individuals—two of which were newly initiated.

Following the Prime Minister's directions at the 20th meeting, ministries, agencies, and localities have maintained a strong focus on the month-long crackdown, with notable progress recorded week by week. So far, 31 out of 66 assigned tasks have been completed—eight more than the previous week—while 35 others are on track for timely implementation.

Local authorities have formed specialised task forces to patrol and monitor fishing activities, handle violations in foreign waters, and integrate vessel monitoring data with seafood traceability systems. Efforts to investigate IUU-related violations, verify vessel registration, and address falsified documents have also been strengthened./.