Following the inspection conducted by the European Commission (EC) delegation in Dak Lak, provincial authorities together with relevant agencies have concentrated efforts on addressing issues highlighted in EC recommendations concerning the fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

Border guard officers providing fishermen with guidance on regulations governing offshore fishing activities.

Following the EC inspection mission’s working visit to Dak Lak, provincial authorities along with relevant agencies have focused on rectifying a range of issues highlighted by the EC, while intensifying measures aimed at improving compliance with anti-IUU fishing regulations.

According to the Provincial Border Guard Command, these requirements have been translated into a unified action framework implemented from provincial level down to grassroots authorities, alongside the establishment of a specialised task force dedicated to combating IUU fishing. Border guard forces serve as a key pillar in overseeing the entire fisheries supply chain, from vessel departures and fishing operations through landing, traceability combined with product distribution.

Concurrently, legal communication and awareness-raising activities have been strengthened as well as diversified. Relevant agencies have adopted a more targeted approach, focusing on groups with higher risks of non-compliance while providing direct support for fishermen in fulfilling vessel registration and electronic reporting requirements, particularly via the electronic Catch Documentation and Traceability (eCDT) system.

Senior Lieutenant Nguyen Van Lieng, Deputy Head of the Mass Mobilisation Team at Xuan Dai Border Guard Station, said: “Our unit is intensifying grassroots outreach and providing direct guidance for fishermen before each voyage. Beyond document inspections, we focus on helping fishermen fully understand regulatory requirements, especially the prohibition against encroaching into foreign waters coupled with the obligation to keep vessel monitoring systems operating continuously.

Fishing fleet management has also been tightened. At border guard control stations, departure and arrival procedures are carried out in full compliance with regulations, with 100% of fishing vessels subject to inspections covering documentation, onboard equipment combined with data verification. Simultaneous deployment of vessel management software together with the eCDT platform has accelerated digitalisation of administrative procedures, shortened processing time and enhanced transparency in monitoring activities. Border guard forces also maintain regular inspections of anchorage areas while working closely with relevant agencies to cross-check information, enabling timely detection of violations.

Fishermen completing departure clearance procedures at Van Phuoc Border Guard Control Station.

Colonel Bui Yen Tinh, Deputy Director of the Operations Department under the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army, noted: “Border guard control stations have properly implemented inspection together with supervision procedures, ensuring every fishing vessel departing for fishing grounds is equipped with all required documents and equipment. Moreover, digitalised processes through vessel management software coupled with the eCDT platform have reduced administrative processing time while strengthening real-time monitoring capacity”.

However, through the inspection process, the Operations Department also identified several shortcomings and limitations that require further attention. Among the most notable are weaknesses in inter-agency coordination alongside inconsistencies in data synchronisation across management platforms.

In practice, updates on administrative sanctions within specialised databases have not always been carried out promptly, resulting in discrepancies among records maintained by different agencies. In some instances, vessel departure and arrival data have yet to be fully reconciled in real time between the eCDT platform along with other management systems.

Electronic reporting also continues to face practical challenges. Given the nature of offshore fishing activities, many vessel owners do not directly participate in fishing operations, while digital literacy among a portion of fishermen remains limited. Consequently, electronic declarations often require support from authorities stationed at fishing ports.

To address these issues, relevant agencies and enforcement forces must continue strengthening communication combined with guidance efforts, helping fishermen comply with regulations and accurately submit declarations through electronic platforms. Simultaneously, staffing at fishing ports should be reinforced to ensure timely data updates as well as real-time synchronisation across management systems.

Translated by HAI LOAN