Dak Lak is gradually moving the entire fishing fleet management process into the digital environment, shifting from monitoring individual stages to overseeing each vessel’s operations, proactively identifying risks and preventing IUU violations.

Fishers in Xuan Dai ward receiving guidance from the relevant forces on IUU fishing prevention measures and declarations via fishing vessel management software.

Previously, monitoring vessel operations relied heavily on paper records and manual updates. Today, much of this process has been brought into the digital environment.

On the Vietnam National Fisheries Database system (VnFishbase), more than 2,500 fishing vessels measuring 6 m or more in the province have been registered, representing 100% of the fleet; 691 vessels measuring 15 m or more have been equipped with vessel monitoring systems (VMS). Fishing vessel data have been digitalised, cross-checked and synchronised with VNeID; fishing trip information is updated through eCDT, while vessel positions and routes are tracked via VMS, gradually building a continuous data trail for each vessel.

According to fishing vessel owners, voyage monitoring not only helps them stay connected with shore-based authorities but also provides warnings when vessels approach maritime boundary areas, thereby reducing the risk of violations. Declarations through software are also much more convenient, as logbooks and documents are frequently exposed to seawater as well as making them susceptible to damage or tearing.

For management agencies, meanwhile, the value of updating data in the digital environment lies not only in reducing paperwork, but more importantly in enabling information to be retrieved and cross-checked. Once a vessel leaves port, its operations are recorded through multiple layers of data. VMS continuously tracks its voyage; eCDT records fishing trip information; along with data on vessels and ownership details are stored on VnFishbase.

Proactively identifying risks and taking early action

According to the Fisheries and Islands Sub-Department, the fisheries sector is operating three main systems in an integrated manner, namely VnFishbase, eCDT combined with VMS. A notable benefit is that digital data are helping change the way inspections and controls are conducted. Rather than processing information only after vessels return to port or when an incident occurs, management agencies now have additional tools to monitor vessels while they are operating, identify unusual signs and proactively issue warnings.

Da Rang Border Guard Control Station officers contacting fishing vessels entering the adjacent maritime boundary area and reminding them of the regulations.

According to Senior Lieutenant Nguyen Minh Hoang, Deputy Political Commissar of Tuy Hoa Border Guard Station, when VMS detects signs that a vessel is crossing the permitted boundary, the system immediately updates the information, enabling the relevant forces to contact the vessel, issue warnings alongside prevent violations. The ability to connect data also gives management officials additional grounds to identify high-risk vessels as well as focus inspections and management efforts accordingly.

Mr. Dao Quang Minh, Director of the provincial Fisheries and Islands Sub-Department, said the greatest value of digitalisation lies not simply in streamlining administrative procedures, but more importantly, in building a comprehensive data system for managing each fishing vessel throughout its operations. When information is fully updated, management agencies can identify high-risk vessel groups and proactively issue notifications, while coordinating inspection and control efforts to prevent violations from the outset. This helps curb IUU violations as well as gradually build a transparent and responsible fisheries sector.

Once data on vessels, voyages, fishing trips together with catches are digitalised, management agencies can oversee the entire fishing operation rather than conducting checks only at individual points in time. Simultaneously, this requires fishers to take greater responsibility for keeping information up to date and complying with regulations during their operations.

Translated by KHUONG THAO