The city’s commitment was highlighted during a conference held on December 11 to review a month-long anti-IUU campaign.

According to Pham Thi Na, Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment and Standing Deputy Head of the city’s IUU Steering Committee, as of December 5, the city had licensed 4,268 out of 4,475 fishing vessels, a 24.5% increase compared to the beginning of the year.

207 vessels remain unlicensed but stressed that these boats are now under close surveillance by local authorities and border guards. These vessels are prohibited from going to sea, and authorities have taken firm action to ensure compliance.

“About 207 vessels remain unlicensed and they are under strict supervision by local authorities, border guards, and fishing ports,” said Na. “These vessels are prohibited from going to sea, and authorities are taking firm action to ensure compliance.”

Since the start of the year, the city has eliminated 1,133 degraded or damaged vessels. All o its fishing vessels, as well as those from other localities that dock at local ports or border guard stations are now fully monitored and strictly controlled around the clock.

According to her, the city now has eight fishing ports applying the Electronic Catch Documentation and Traceability system (eCDT) for all vessels entering and exiting the ports. The system records catch volumes for traceability, and ensures the issuance of certificates for harvested seafood in accordance with regulations.

“From the beginning of 2025 until now, as many as 22,253 fishing vessels have completed port procedures in Ho Chi Minh City. Of these, 9,754 vessels unloaded a total of 92,962 tonnes of catch, with all data recorded and traceability ensured through the eCDT system,” she added.

Meanwhile, Colonel Tran Ngoc Tang, Chief of Staff of the Ho Chi Minh City Border Guard Command, provided an update on maritime patrol efforts, reporting that the Border Guard oversees the waters of 14 communes and wards along with the Con Dao Special Zone.

“In 2025, the Border Guard has carried out 420 independent patrols and handled entry and exit procedures for 11,524 fishing vessels,” Colonel Tang informed, underscoring the importance of maintaining strict oversight of maritime areas and preventing illegal fishing activities along the coast.

Concluding the conference, Hoang Nguyen Dinh, Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee, urged all relevant agencies to act decisively and intensify efforts to combat illegal fishing. He emphasised the need for nationwide cooperation to lift the European Commission’s “yellow card” by 2026 and promote sustainable fisheries development.

Dinh called on local authorities to enhance inspections and enforce stricter management of fishing ports. He also insisted that all fishing vessels over 6 meters in length must dock and unload their catch in compliance with regulations.

Authorities are required to address 100% of violations, maintain stringent control over all fishing vessels, prevent unqualified vessels from operating, and strictly prevent infractions such as Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) disconnection and exceeding authorised fishing boundaries at sea.

In a significant move, Dinh urged leaders at the commune, ward, and special zone levels to take full responsibility for combating IUU fishing. He stressed the need for public awareness campaigns at all levels to prevent early and widespread violations, particularly in foreign waters, and to counter illegal fishing syndicates.

Hai Phong leads Vietnam’s fight against IUU fishing

Hai Phong is emerging as one of Vietnam’s front runners in tackling illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, from strict control over its fishing fleet, enhanced voyage monitoring, to traceability and sustainable management of marine resources.