Vietnam Boosts Fisheries Management to Combat IUU Fishing

Localities across Vietnam are strengthening fisheries management to combat Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing. In the southern province of Ca Mau, the highest priority is to completely stop local fishing vessels from entering foreign waters, as stated by Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Le Van Su. Provincial authorities will mobilize their entire apparatus and clearly assign responsibilities to each individual and agency head to contribute to lifting the EU's 'yellow card' warning and promoting sustainable fisheries development. Meanwhile, in the central highland province of Lam Dong, according to the provincial IUU Fishing Prevention Steering Committee, all 8,177 fishing vessels measuring at least 6 meters in length have been registered and updated in the national fisheries database VNFishbase. This indicates Vietnam's commitment to enhancing its credibility in international seafood trade and establishing sustainable fishing practices. As Vietnam pursues economic growth under its one-party system, it is increasingly emphasizing environmental regulations and compliance with international standards to avoid international criticism and sanctions. The IUU fishing issue poses a significant barrier to Vietnam's fisheries exports, and its resolution directly impacts economic benefits. Furthermore, Vietnam and China have agreed to strictly abide by the three legal documents governing their land border and common perceptions reached by their armies, to address emerging issues quickly and appropriately. This can be interpreted as part of diplomatic efforts to ease tensions in the South China Sea and maintain regional stability. These initiatives reflect Vietnam's strategy to achieve both economic growth and international trust by strengthening domestic management systems and fostering international cooperation. Information Source: VietnamPlus English