Quang Ninh determined to remove IUU“yellow card”

Policies in Action

Quang Ninh determined to remove IUU“yellow card”
Quang Ninh is intensifying vessel management and round-the-clock enforcement, backed by near-universal licensing and compliance gains, as it aligns local action with national efforts to lift the European Commission’s IUU “yellow card”. The province is pairing tougher inspections and VMS monitoring with accelerated digitalisation of fisheries data to curb violations, strengthen traceability and advance sustainable marine development.

With nearly 191km of maritime border, Quang Ninh has favourable conditions for developing the marine economy, but this also poses complex challenges to security and order, particularly violations related to IUU fishing.

As of January 6, 2026, the province had more than 4,100 fishing vessels of six metres or longer fully registered on the system; 100% had been issued fishing licences, while 99.73% held valid inspection certificates. Fishermen’s awareness and compliance with regulations on IUU fishing have shown clear improvements.

Tran Van Son

Fisherman, Duong Hoa commune, Quang Ninh province

“When we receive guidance from the authorities, we comply—no illegal fishing, no crossing borders, no operating in the wrong fishing grounds. We also encourage other fishermen to fish in accordance with State regulations.”

To join nationwide efforts to lift the European Commission’s (EC) “yellow card”, the Quang Ninh provincial Border Guard Command has instructed coastal border guard posts to reinforce manpower at border control stations and maintain 24/7 duty rosters. These measures aim to monitor and promptly detect vessels losing connection to vessel monitoring systems (VMS) or crossing permitted boundaries, enabling timely warnings and handling in line with regulations. At the same time, functional forces have launched comprehensive inspections and crackdowns, strictly dealing with IUU violations.

Lieutenant Colonel Luu Tri

Cai Chien Border Guard team, Quang Ninh

“We regularly coordinate with local agencies to step up communication and mobilisation, especially among fishermen, to prevent illegal and unreported fishing. We also conduct frequent patrols and controls to detect and strictly handle illegal activities.”

In the coming period, the Quang Ninh provincial Border Guard Command will continue directing coastal units to maintain strict readiness; strengthen inspection and monitoring of fishing vessels at estuaries, fishing ports and key areas; and accelerate digitalisation in fisheries management, contributing to sustainable fisheries development and the early removal of the EC’s “yellow card”./.

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