Vietnam has intensified its crackdown on illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, launching 39 criminal cases across the country as part of a broader effort to enhance fisheries management and promote sustainable development.

Vietnam has seriously implemented recommendations made by the European Commission (EC) to fight illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD).

The People’s Committee of the Mekong Delta province of Tien Giang has instructed relevant departments and agencies to deal with shortcomings in the fight against illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing based on recommendations by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) has asked localities to take strong measures to fight against illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing and prepare for the visit by the European Commission’s inspection team in October to assess Vietnam’s progress in combating IUU fishing.

As many as 23,623 fishing boats or 77.1% of those at least 15 metres long nationwide had been equipped with vessel monitoring systems (VMS) as of June 22, said the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD).