Quang Ngai tightens crackdown on illegal fishing ahead of EC review
Vietnam’s Quang Ngai province is stepping up enforcement against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing as the country seeks to have the European Commission (EC) lift its seafood “yellow card” after eight years, Deputy Agriculture and Environment Minister Phung Duc Tien said.
Tien on Sept 8 inspected the Tinh Hoa fishing port and storm shelter and urged local authorities to act “decisively and comprehensively” before the EC’s fifth inspection later this month.
As of Aug 31, Quang Ngai had 4,898 vessels of six metres or longer, with 95% licensed and 100% equipped with vessel monitoring systems. The province has applied electronic catch documentation and traceability (eCDT) to all port arrivals, overseeing more than 13,400 tonnes of seafood and collecting over 13,500 logbooks.
Provincial authorities also issued 99 seafood material certificates covering 2,500 tonnes and 62 catch certificates for over 800 tonnes in the first eight months of 2025.
Despite progress, officials acknowledged challenges remain, including vessels losing VMS connection and crossing fishing boundaries. Enforcement has been constrained by limited manpower and difficulties applying regulations.
“This is a golden opportunity for Vietnam to have the yellow card removed,” Tien said. “From now until Sept 15, we must prove to the EC that Vietnam has made clear progress in legislation, fleet monitoring, traceability and enforcement.”
VFM
