Dong Thap Tightens Measures Against Illegal Fishing

(DTO) The Standing Board of the Dong Thap Provincial Party Committee has issued an official dispatch requiring Party committees, agencies, units, and local authorities across the province to thoroughly rectify remaining shortcomings in combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

Over the years, Dong Thap has actively implemented Directive No. 32-CT/TW, issued by the Secretariat on April 10, 2024, on strengthening the Party's leadership over IUU fishing prevention and sustainable fisheries development, as well as Directive No. 07-CT/TU, issued by the Provincial Party Committee's Standing Board on March 12, 2026, on intensifying efforts to prevent destructive fishing practices. The province has also carried out directives issued by the Prime Minister, achieving positive results.

Compliance among most fishermen and businesses has steadily improved, while the management and monitoring of fishing vessels, oversight of maritime activities, and seafood traceability have become increasingly institutionalized.

However, implementation remains slow in several areas, including occupational conversion support and the deregistration of inactive fishing vessels under Provincial People's Council Resolution No. 47/2025/NQ-HĐND dated December 31, 2025. Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) equipment has also experienced connection interruptions, complicating monitoring efforts, while some fishing vessels have yet to install VMS devices as required.

Under the new dispatch, Party secretaries of communes and wards with registered fishing vessels will be held directly accountable to the Provincial Party Committee's Standing Board if they fail to fulfill IUU prevention responsibilities in their jurisdictions. This represents the highest level of accountability at the grassroots level, demonstrating the province's resolute political commitment.

Specific responsibilities have also been assigned to relevant agencies. The Party Committee of the Provincial People's Committee will oversee comprehensive implementation; the Provincial Military Party Committee will strengthen patrols and inspections to prevent violations; the Provincial Public Security Party Committee will investigate and handle cases involving vessels illegally operating in foreign waters; the Provincial Party Committee's Commission for Information, Education and Mass Mobilization will enhance public awareness campaigns; while the Vietnam Fatherland Front and socio-political organizations will encourage fishermen to strictly comply with fisheries regulations.

Authorities have also been instructed to promptly detect and strictly handle cases in which Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) devices are tampered with, transferred to other vessels,  or deliberately disconnected to evade supervision. Serious violations may face criminal prosecution under Resolution No. 04/2024/NQ-HDTP, issued by the Council of Judges of the Supreme People's Court on June 12, 2024.

With strong political determination, Dong Thap is committed to fully implementing the recommendations of the European Commission, contributing to national efforts to secure the removal of the "yellow card" warning imposed on Vietnamese seafood.

By BUI HUNG
Translated by X.QUANG