Against the backdrop of the Vietnamese fisheries sector continuing to grapple with enormous challenges stemming from the European Commission’s “yellow card” warning that has remained in place since 2017, the 23rd session of the National Steering Committee on IUU once again demonstrated the extraordinary determination and wholehearted engagement of the entire political system. Held via a nationwide online platform that linked the central government directly with authorities in 21 coastal provinces and cities, the meeting was chaired by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and saw the active participation of leaders from all relevant ministries, central agencies, and local representatives. Far more than a routine weekly review, this was a critical moment for all stakeholders to candidly assess the significant achievements already secured while simultaneously identifying and addressing the remaining bottlenecks that must be urgently resolved in order to realize the overarching objective of establishing a truly sustainable and responsible fisheries industry for generations to come.
According to the comprehensive report presented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment – the standing agency of the Steering Committee – as of 21 November 2025, ministries, sectors and localities had successfully completed 85 out of the 99 tasks assigned to them, marking an impressive increase of 30 completed tasks compared to just the previous week. These figures clearly illustrate the remarkable and tangible progress being made in the concrete implementation of practical solutions, ranging from the continuous updating and verification of fishing vessel data on the national Vnfishbase database to the increasingly rigorous monitoring and supervision of vessel monitoring systems (VMS). Of particular note and encouragement, during the past week there had been no newly recorded incidents of Vietnamese fishing vessels losing VMS connection for more than six hours without proper reporting or crossing into prohibited maritime boundaries – violations that had previously constituted major obstacles preventing the European Commission from considering removal of the warning. This positive transformation has been the direct result of resolute and decisive directives issued by the Government combined with exceptionally close coordination among functional forces, especially the leadership role played by the Ministry of National Defence in partnering with Viettel Group to fully digitize the management and oversight of the entire national fishing fleet.
In his opening remarks, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh warmly commended the serious, diligent and highly responsible working spirit demonstrated by all ministries, central agencies and local authorities throughout the country. The head of the Government emphatically stressed that combating IUU fishing is not merely an international obligation but, more importantly, a sacred national responsibility to protect and preserve the invaluable marine resources that belong to the entire Vietnamese people and to substantially improve the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of coastal fishing communities. “Removing the yellow card in 2025 is an urgent, vital task that we absolutely must accomplish and cannot afford to delay any further,” the Prime Minister declared with unmistakable determination, underlining that success in this endeavour would not only restore and safeguard national honour on the global stage but also ensure stable and robust growth of seafood exports, which currently contribute more than nine billion US dollars annually to the national economy. With approximately 80,000 fishing vessels operating across Vietnam’s vast maritime zones, establishing strict order and disciplined management has now become the indispensable foundation for the long-term sustainable development of the entire sector, facilitating a strategic shift from purely extractive wild-capture practices toward responsible aquaculture, value-added processing and environmentally conscious exploitation.
The meeting unfolded in an atmosphere charged with urgency and purpose as detailed reports were delivered by representatives of various ministries and agencies. Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Phung Duc Tien proudly informed participants that the national fisheries database Vnfishbase had achieved 100 percent complete registration and data entry for all fishing vessels of six metres and above in numerous provinces, including Ninh Binh and Quang Ninh. In Ninh Binh province alone, all 1,367 fishing vessels have now been fully registered, marked and documented in strict accordance with regulatory requirements, thereby guaranteeing maximum transparency in fisheries management. Similarly, in Quang Ninh province, since the beginning of 2025 authorities have detected and handled 540 violations, collecting more than 7.37 billion Vietnamese dong in administrative fines – a powerful deterrent that sends a clear message against any form of illegal activity. These impressive statistics not only reflect the strict enforcement of the rule of law but also highlight the synchronized nationwide efforts to seamlessly interconnect crucial data systems such as VMS, electronic catch documentation and traceability (eCDT), and the national population identification platform (VNeID), thereby enabling real-time tracking and monitoring of every single fishing vessel operating at sea.
Representing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Deputy Minister Le Thi Thu Hang provided a comprehensive update on ongoing international diplomatic engagement, emphasizing the timely and proactive provision of detailed progress reports to the European Commission regarding Vietnam’s anti-IUU efforts. The Ministry has vigorously pursued negotiations and cooperation agreements with neighbouring countries, particularly Malaysia, to establish mutually accepted mechanisms for controlling fishing activities in overlapping maritime areas, while simultaneously gathering complete data on Vietnamese fishermen who have unfortunately engaged in illegal fishing in foreign waters. These sustained diplomatic initiatives are steadily building a rock-solid foundation for the upcoming fifth inspection mission by the European Commission, currently scheduled for October 2025, with very high expectations that the delegation will finally recognize Vietnam’s genuine and irreversible progress and recommend immediate removal of the yellow card. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh specifically tasked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, working in the closest possible coordination with the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, to prepare exhaustive documentation for submission to the EC and, if necessary, to dispatch a deputy minister to Europe for direct face-to-face discussions aimed at clarifying every aspect of Vietnam’s commitments and achievements.
Another particularly encouraging highlight repeatedly emphasized throughout the meeting was the proactive and highly responsible participation of coastal provinces and cities across the country. From southern provinces such as An Giang and Ho Chi Minh City to central and northern localities, authorities have taken concrete and decisive action, including intensified patrols and inspections at designated fishing ports and the provision of direct financial and technical support to fishermen for the installation and maintenance of VMS equipment. In Gia Lai province – though not coastal – authorities have issued strict directives down to the commune and ward level to ensure that the entire domestic seafood supply chain remains completely free from any trace of IUU-origin products. Real-life stories shared from the grassroots level, such as the compassionate assistance provided to fishermen in Quang Tri province who lost their vessels due to VMS disconnection incidents and were subsequently supported in transitioning to alternative livelihoods, powerfully illustrate the Government’s balanced and humane approach: unwavering severity toward violations combined with genuine empathy and practical help for those who earn their living from the sea.
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Nevertheless, the meeting did not shy away from openly acknowledging the challenges and shortcomings that still remain. With 14 tasks classified as ongoing and requiring continuous implementation, the Prime Minister issued firm directives for the immediate and final resolution of all outstanding cases, especially those involving fishing vessels that previously lost VMS connection without facing appropriate penalties. The Ministry of Public Security was instructed to work closely with the People’s Courts to accelerate criminal investigations and trials related to brokerage and organization of illegal cross-border fishing activities. At the same time, the Ministry of Finance together with the Ministry of Construction were tasked with exercising the strictest possible control over imported fishery raw materials under the provisions of the Port State Measures Agreement (PSMA), thereby completely blocking any possibility of IUU-sourced products entering the domestic market through container shipments. These directives stem from the profound understanding that only by thoroughly addressing root causes – particularly deficiencies in data management systems and individual accountability – can Vietnam convincingly demonstrate to the European Commission that genuine and lasting systemic change has been achieved.
In his concluding remarks, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh once again called upon the entire political system to mobilize with the true spirit of “declaring war” on illegal fishing in all its forms. The head of Government specifically assigned the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to intensify international communication campaigns through global media channels in order to strongly counter any distorted or inaccurate narratives concerning Vietnam’s anti-IUU efforts. The Prime Minister further emphasized the urgent need to finalize and promulgate policies for occupational transition and the creation of sustainable alternative livelihoods for fishermen no later than November 30, 2025, describing this as the fundamental long-term solution to reduce pressure on wild-capture fisheries. “Everything we are doing is for the direct benefit of our fishermen and for the future of our nation,” the Prime Minister affirmed with deep conviction, while requiring all coastal provinces and cities to submit detailed weekly progress reports through the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment to ensure the highest levels of transparency, accountability and collective responsibility.
Hai Dang