Practical exchanges on combating IUU fishing and fishing vessel monitoring
The meeting with the Canadian delegation was organized with the objective of creating favorable conditions for both sides to directly exchange information on capacities, practical experience, and technical solutions in the field of fishing vessel monitoring and the prevention and control of IUU fishing. The working session was considered a valuable opportunity for the Vietnamese side to gain further insight into Canada’s approaches, management models, and technologies currently being applied, while at the same time sharing the difficulties and challenges faced by Viet Nam in the specific context of its fisheries sector.
The meeting was chaired by Mr. Vu Duyen Hai, Deputy Director of the Department of Fisheries and Surveillance, with the participation of leaders and representatives of specialized units under the Department, including the Fisheries and Surveillance Information Center, the Division of Fisheries Exploitation, the Division of Fisheries Surveillance Operations, the Division of Science, Technology and International Cooperation, along with other relevant divisions. On the Canadian side, the delegation was led by Mr. Martin Larose, General Director of the International Security and Strategic Affairs Bureau under Global Affairs, with the participation of representatives from Canadian fisheries management authorities, the coast guard, the navy, and the Embassy of Canada in Viet Nam.
During the working session, Mr. Nguyen Manh Cuong, Head of the Fishing Vessel Monitoring and Fisheries Surveillance Information Division under the Fisheries and Surveillance Information Center, presented an overview of the fishing vessel monitoring system (VMS) currently operated by Viet Nam. In this system, the Fishing Vessel Monitoring Division plays a central role in receiving, analyzing, and sharing data to serve fleet management, monitor fishing activities, and support law enforcement operations. The discussions focused on organizational arrangements, coordination mechanisms between the central and local levels, as well as situations arising during system operation, particularly the handling of cases in which fishing vessels lose connectivity with monitoring devices.
The Vietnamese side raised a number of specific questions related to Canada’s experience, including management mechanisms for positioning devices on fishing vessels operating in coastal and offshore waters, response measures when VMS signals are lost, methods for fisheries risk assessment based on vessel tracking data, as well as approaches to identifying and handling cases in which monitoring devices are deliberately switched off or violations are repeatedly committed by the same vessel owners. These questions closely reflected the realities of Viet Nam’s current efforts to combat IUU fishing, given the large and widely dispersed fishing fleet and the complex conditions under which fishing activities take place.
Canada’s experience in fishing vessel management and multi-layered monitoring
Responding to the issues raised, representatives of Canada’s fisheries authority explained that Canada’s fisheries management system is built upon a strict licensing framework that closely links the responsibility of vessel owners to each individual fishing trip and specific fishing grounds. The majority of Canada’s fishing fleet consists of vessels under 24 meters in length; however, these are metal-hulled vessels with relatively large dimensions and engine power, equipped with modern technologies capable of operating offshore and under harsh weather conditions.
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According to the Canadian side, fishing licenses clearly specify the species permitted for harvesting, the authorized fishing areas, as well as designated ports of departure and landing. On that basis, management authorities are able to track vessel positions and detect early signs of irregularities, including the deactivation or interruption of vessel monitoring system signals. The installation of VMS equipment is mandatory for vessels subject to management requirements, with data transmission typically set at one-hour intervals. The system is designed in an integrated and synchronized manner, such that any interference with or removal of equipment will automatically trigger an alert sent to management authorities.
One notable feature of Canada’s model is its multi-layered monitoring mechanism, which combines technological solutions with on-the-ground inspections. In addition to VMS data, Canada applies electronic logbooks (e-logbooks) to record voyage routes, catch volumes, and fishing activities. Furthermore, independent third-party observer entities are involved to accompany vessels, record observations, and submit reports, in combination with a system of random and risk-based inspections. When vessels land at ports, inspections are carried out at the wharf, with inspection rates ranging from 10 percent to 100 percent depending on the vessel and assessed risk level.
Canadian representatives also noted that prior to each fishing trip, vessels are required to notify authorities of their departure plans at least 48 hours in advance, and to provide notice approximately six hours before landing in order to allow management agencies to prepare inspection and monitoring activities. In addition, Canada maintains fisheries enforcement vessels operating directly on fishing grounds, working in coordination with shore-based monitoring data to enhance the effectiveness of law enforcement.
In cases where the VMS encounters technical problems resulting in signal loss, an automatic alert mechanism is activated. Vessel owners are required to immediately notify management authorities and implement prescribed measures, which may include returning to port. If intentional violations are suspected, inspection and investigation will be conducted upon the vessel’s return, and appropriate enforcement measures will be applied. According to the Canadian side, preventing the deliberate deactivation of monitoring devices depends not only on sanctions, but also to a large extent on the application of technology and the capacity of law enforcement agencies.
At the national level, Canada implements a unified fisheries management system with close coordination among federal fisheries authorities, the coast guard, and other law enforcement bodies. The coast guard plays a crucial role in ensuring maritime safety, supporting law enforcement activities, and providing offshore monitoring capacity, particularly in remote sea areas and under challenging weather conditions. Data from VMS and other tracking systems are integrated to support risk analysis, inspection planning, and the deployment of enforcement resources.
According to the Canadian delegation, the total number of fishing vessels in Canada is approximately 15,000, significantly lower than that of Viet Nam. However, the level of modernization and standardization is very high, with all vessels being steel-hulled, under 24 meters in length but with wide hulls. This enables Canada to impose stricter technical requirements on monitoring equipment and data reporting. Canada’s fisheries risk assessment system is based on multiple factors, including vessel compliance history, operating areas, target species, and voyage data, thereby identifying priority targets for monitoring and inspection.
Opportunities for cooperation and implications for Viet Nam’s efforts to combat IUU fishing
At the conclusion of the meeting, both sides highly appreciated the significance of the direct, substantive, and in-depth discussions. From the Vietnamese perspective, access to Canada’s experience helped further clarify key elements in the development of an effective fishing vessel monitoring system, ranging from technical design and multi-layer coordination mechanisms to the role of port inspections and offshore surveillance. At the same time, the exchanges underscored the importance of combining technological solutions with human resources and an appropriate legal framework.
The Department of Fisheries and Surveillance indicated that it would continue cooperation with Canada on a basis consistent with Viet Nam’s policies, regulations, and priorities in combating IUU fishing, as well as the actual conditions of the fishing fleet and management capacity. Potential areas of cooperation may include experience sharing, capacity-building training for officials, technical information exchange, and the exploration of possible support in the field of fishing vessel monitoring technologies.
The meeting and working session with the Canadian delegation not only contributed to strengthening mutual understanding between fisheries management authorities, but also demonstrated Viet Nam’s proactive efforts to learn from international experience and to improve fisheries exploitation management in a transparent, responsible, and sustainable manner, in line with integration requirements and international commitments on combating IUU fishing.
Hai Dang