The “Morning coffee with fishermen” program, organized by the Tuy Hoa Border Guard Station, offers a friendly, accessible approach aiming to raise awareness alongside compliance among fishermen with regulations against IUU fishing.

The “Morning coffee with fishermen” session was recently held by the Tuy Hoa Border Guard Station (under the Provincial Border Guard Command) at the Da Rang Border Control Station, attended by 40 fishermen from Phu Yen ward. Border guard officers selected common concerns among fishermen, particularly additional regulations governing fishing activities, violations, together with penalties under Decree No. 246/2026/ND-CP, and discussed them in a concise, easy-to-understand manner.

Lieutenant Colonel Vu Xuan He, Political Commissar of the Tuy Hoa Border Guard Station, stated that this was the unit’s first time organizing this model, aiming to create a more open dialogue with the fishing community. “Sitting down together fosters a more intimate atmosphere, making it easier for fishermen to share their uncertainties or the difficulties they encounter at sea. This allows officers to provide answers, disseminate information, as well as clearly explain novel regulations”, Lieutenant Colonel He said.

Leaders from Phu Yen ward and the Tuy Hoa Border Guard Station presenting flags to fishermen in the “Morning coffee with fishermen” event.

A distinctive feature of “Morning coffee with fishermen” is that participants do not merely listen; they actively raise questions based on real-life situations encountered during fishing operations. At the first session, fishermen expressed concerns about connectivity losses caused by external factors, system glitches, or network provider issues, alongside discussed changes regarding fishing zones combined with maritime boundaries. Officers from the Tuy Hoa Border Guard Station in coordination with relevant authorities addressed these issues immediately, helping fishermen clearly understand legal regulations coupled with their responsibilities so they can proactively avoid violations. Fisherman Dinh Van Binh (Phu Yen ward) remarked: “Directly interacting with the authorities helps us quickly stay updated on new regulations, especially those concerning maritime boundaries.”

Mr. Nguyen Van Le, Chairman of the Phu Yen Ward Fisheries Union, assessed the “Morning coffee with fishermen” initiative as a novel, approachable, along with easily accessible method. Raising awareness while fostering compliance with the law regarding marine fishing operations is crucial to preventing violations that could undermine Vietnam’s determination to have the “yellow card” warning lifted.

Fishermen raising questions about common issues encountered while fishing at sea in the “Morning coffee with fishermen” session.

Comrade Nguyen Xuan Canh, Chairman of the Phu Yen Ward People’s Committee, stated that the locality currently has 268 fishing vessels with approximately 1,600 active fishermen. Organizing dialogue-based meetings like “Morning coffee with fishermen” makes outreach efforts more personal, focusing directly on the information vessel owners alongside fishermen need before and during their voyages.

The Tuy Hoa Border Guard Station plans to maintain the “Morning coffee with fishermen” model on a monthly basis, coinciding with the fishermen’s return from their voyages. This allows the unit to promptly identify challenges to help address concerns before vessels depart for their next trip.

Translated by TRINH THUY