Vietnam vows strict crackdown on IUU fishing violations

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Pham Thu Hang made the statement at a regular press briefing in Hanoi on Thursday in response to reporters’ questions about Vietnam’s efforts to combat IUU fishing.

She emphasized that Vietnam prioritizes the sustainable development of its maritime economy, ensuring that fishing activities remain within the sustainable exploitation capacity of marine resources.

She added that the country fully complies with international regulations aimed at preventing IUU fishing.

"As a proactive and responsible member of the international community, Vietnam is always ready to cooperate with regional countries and global partners to share experience in combating IUU fishing and promote sustainable fisheries management in line with international law," Hang said.

She stressed that Vietnam is determined to address any IUU fishing violations firmly, transparently, and publicly.

In recent years, Vietnam has developed and refined its fisheries legislation while implementing a range of measures to prevent and combat IUU fishing.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh recently signed an action plan designating a high-intensity month against IUU fishing and promoting the sustainable development of the country’s fisheries sector.

Under the plan, authorities and localities have implemented measures to ensure that fishers comply with national laws and respect other countries’ maritime zones, as defined by the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and other treaties to which Vietnam is a signatory.

Vietnam has intensified its efforts against IUU fishing since the European Commission (EC) issued a ‘yellow card’ warning to Vietnamese seafood over the matter in October 2017.

If the warning escalates to a ‘red card,’ seafood exports to the EU, one of Vietnam’s major markets, could be completely halted.

Since the imposition of the ‘yellow card,’ the EC has conducted four inspections in Vietnam but has not lifted the warning, citing enforcement gaps in certain provinces.

Recently, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has chaired weekly meetings with ministries and coastal localities to address IUU fishing.

At the 20th meeting on November 4, officials reported ongoing progress in handling violations, a matter of particular concern to the EC.

According to the Ministry of Public Security, between October 1 and 27, 2025, authorities prosecuted 19 cases involving 29 individuals.

From 2024 to October 26, 2025, a total of 84 cases involving 130 people were prosecuted, with 43 cases involving 88 defendants brought to trial.