Ca Mau Tightens Control to Eradicate IUU Fishing Violations

Ca Mau province in southern Vietnam is tightening controls at the border to eradicate Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing. According to the provincial IUU Fishing Prevention Steering Committee, all 8,177 fishing vessels measuring at least 6 metres in length have been registered and updated in the national fisheries database VNFishbase. Since the beginning of 2026, the province has recorded positive results in its IUU fishing prevention efforts. The VMS system and VNFishbase database are operated and monitored around the clock to promptly detect and warn of vessels showing signs of crossing maritime boundaries. The coast guard conducted outreach activities for fishermen on maritime and island laws, particularly regulations on combating IUU fishing. Through dialogues, leaflets, consultations, and question-and-answer sessions, fishermen have deepened their understanding of fishing zone boundaries, requirements for installing vessel monitoring systems, and necessary legal procedures for offshore fishing. This effort is part of the broader national endeavor by the Vietnamese government to have the European Union's (EU) IUU fishing warning (yellow card) on seafood exports lifted. Ca Mau province is one of Vietnam's major fishing production areas, and the success of measures in this region could significantly impact the country's overall seafood exports. Under Vietnam's one-party system, the government aims to balance economic growth with adherence to international norms, and IUU fishing prevention is a key pillar of this strategy. For Vietnam, which has a complex relationship with China, the sustainable management of marine resources is crucial not only for economic benefits but also for maintaining sovereignty.