Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha has requested relevant ministries, agencies and localities to continue efforts in combating illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

He stressed the need to review, amend, and supplement existing regulations to mete out strict punishment for any offences that jeopardize national security and defence or territorial integrity, while chairing a recent meeting of the national steering committee for IUU fishing prevention and control.

He also asked for more measures to enhance communications to raise awareness of people and fishermen in abiding by regulations relating to IUU fishing.

According to a report from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Vietnam has largely implemented the European Commission (EC)'s recommendations during its fourth inspection in October 2023. Significant progress has been made, with up to 98.9% of fishing vessels now registered in the VN-Fishbase while all vessels with lengths of at least 15 m equipped with the VMS.