(VOVWORLD) - Ho Chi Minh City has accelerated efforts to have the European Commission (EC) lift its “yellow card” warning on Vietnam’s seafood industry.
 Border guards inform fishermen on lawful fishing practices before their boats set sail. (Photo: Luu Son/VOV-Ho Chi Minh City) |
Ho Chi Minh City has more than 4,900 fishing vessels, 60% of which operate offshore. Since early this year, no local fishing vessels have been detained by foreign authorities.
The city has implemented strong measures against illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing to ensure vessel monitoring and traceability. At Phuoc Tinh Fishing Port in Long Hai commune, functional authorities strictly monitor vessel entries and exits, catches, and fishing logs.
Fisherman Vo Duy Tien of Binh Chau commune said: “Before setting out to sea, we always follow the procedures required by the Border Guard and Fisheries Control. I commit to fishing only within Vietnamese waters and strictly complying with state regulations.”
 Border guards inspect a fishing vessel and documents before departure. (Photo: Luu Son/VOV-Ho Chi Minh City) |
Fisherman Tran Van Tinh of Vung Tau ward said: “I record every trip in my fishing log, which I present to the Border Guard when we return at the port. This also helps with seafood sales. The tracking devices must stay on around the clock.”
 Unqualified fishing boats are banned from setting sail. (Photo: Luu Son/VOV-Ho Chi Minh City)
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A representative from the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Agriculture and Environment said that the city strictly enforces IUU regulations with no exemptions. Vessel management has been made transparent and digitalized, with all fishing boats required to use vessel monitoring systems (VMS) and electronic catch documentation and traceability (eCDT).
Boats operating without registration, inspection, or licenses are subject to inspection and penalties.