Tien Giang’s Effective Measures Against IUU Fishing
The Mekong Delta province of Tien Giang has made significant strides in combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. According to the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, all fishing vessels in the area are now equipped with a vessel monitoring system (VMS), and the province has successfully updated 100% of its fishing vessel data in the National Fisheries Database (VN-Fishbase).
Remarkably, from 2022 to the end of July 2024, there were no reported cases of IUU fishing involving local vessels. This success is largely due to the province’s sustained efforts in raising awareness among fishermen through enhanced communication campaigns.
In the first seven months of 2024, the department, in collaboration with the provincial Border Guard Command, the Navy Region 2 Command, the Coast Guard Region 3 Command, and other relevant agencies, organized two major communication events. These initiatives reached nearly 250 fishermen, boat owners, captains, and businesspeople, distributed 600 informative documents, and provided nearly 1,000 national flags to local fishermen.
To further strengthen their efforts, the department has established a monitoring team under the provincial Fisheries Sub-Department and an inspection team to oversee and register fishing vessels in the region.
Colonel Truong Cong Sau, Deputy Commander of the provincial Border Guard, emphasized the ongoing coordination with other authorities to continue spreading awareness about Vietnamese and international fisheries laws in key fishing areas.
Nguyen Van Man, Director of the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, highlighted the positive impact of awareness-raising campaigns, noting a significant reduction in the number of offshore fishing vessels suspected of IUU violations. Since the implementation of the 2017 Fisheries Law, Tien Giang has focused on promoting sustainable fishing practices and adherence to relevant regulations.
As of now, Tien Giang is home to 1,274 fishing vessels with 9,135 crew members working onboard. The province’s total aquatic product output in the first seven months of 2024 reached 55,792 tonnes, marking a 3.8% increase compared to the same period in 2023.
