Coast Guard Region 3 and Border Guard Flotilla 18 conduct IUU fishing prevention outreach

Fishermen receiving gifts

During the communication sessions, fishing boat owners and fishermen were informed of and thoroughly briefed on important contents such as regulations of the European Commission (E.C.) on fisheries exploitation; the Fisheries Law and its guiding documents; and directives from the central government on combating IUU fishing and resolving the E.C.’s “yellow card” warning.

The units also focused on emphasizing the role and importance of combating IUU fishing, as well as fishermen’s obligations and benefits in the process of fishing and seafood exploitation. Outreach activities aimed to ensure that boat owners and fishermen clearly understand, firmly grasp, and are committed to complying with national policies, legal regulations, and international obligations on protecting the marine environment both domestically and internationally; refrain from violating foreign waters while fishing; and maintain vessel monitoring system (VMS) equipment operating 24/24 hours from departure to return, without removing VMS devices to transfer them to other vessels. They were also encouraged to report illegal fishing activities and promptly reflect ongoing efforts and results in local IUU prevention.

During the campaign, working teams from Border Guard Flotilla 18 and Coast Guard Region 3 distributed 81 national flags, more than 1,000 leaflets and brochures containing essential information on IUU prevention; maps of designated fishing zones in Vietnam’s waters; and guidelines that boat owners and fishermen must keep in mind while operating at sea.

Forces checking VMS on a ship

Alongside the outreach effort, the units also conducted patrols and inspections. From November 13 to 17, Border Guard Flotilla 18, in coordination with the Coast Guard Region 3 Command, imposed penalties on nine fishing boats violating regulations in the southwestern maritime area.

Translated by Song Anh