Thanh Hoa Cracks Down on Illegal Fishing to Secure EU Yellow Card Removal

Thanh Hoa province in central Vietnam is intensifying its crackdown on illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing activities as part of efforts to secure the removal of the European Union's (EU) 'yellow card' warning. The campaign aims to enhance public awareness, increase patrols and inspections, and prevent illegal fishing activities, while protecting marine resources and ensuring that no local fishing vessels violate foreign waters. As part of the city's digital transformation drive, the organizing board is also guiding fishermen and vessel owners through procedures for updating fishing vessel information on the VNeID electronic identification platform and instructing them on the use of the electronic fishing logbook system. This aims to enhance transparency in catch data and strengthen the management system. The initiatives place fishermen at the center of enforcement efforts, promoting community self-management while strengthening coordination between local authorities and relevant agencies in managing offshore fishing activities. The EU's yellow card has a significant impact on Vietnam's seafood exports, and its removal is an urgent issue for the country's fisheries sector. The Vietnamese government aims to restore international trust and achieve sustainable fisheries through enhanced IUU fishing measures.