Authorities reported that Gia Lai currently has 5,772 registered fishing vessels.
Among them, 3,165 vessels of 15 meters or longer and 197 vessels between 12 and 15 meters, considered high-risk for crossing into foreign waters, have all been equipped with Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS), achieving 100% compliance.
All vessels have completed data verification and integration between the Vnfishbase and the national population database (VNeID).
Following the merger of local military agencies, the Party Committee and Command of the Provincial Border Guard developed a comprehensive plan to strengthen anti-IUU operations.
Border Guard stations have since stepped up awareness campaigns, patrols, and inspections while imposing strict penalties for violations.
Lieutenant Colonel Nguyễn Ngọc Dương, Head of Cát Khánh Border Guard Station, said his unit organized large-scale communication drives to encourage fishermen to fish offshore responsibly while safeguarding Vietnam’s maritime sovereignty.
In October alone, the unit held two centralized sessions for 180 fishermen, 27 small-group sessions for 165 fishermen, and distributed 250 leaflets, QR codes, national flags, and photos of President Hồ Chí Minh. Over 250 vessel owners signed commitments not to violate IUU regulations.
During the peak campaign, Cát Khánh Station inspected 807 vessel departures and arrivals involving 4,042 crew members, ensuring full compliance with fisheries rules.
At Tam Quan Nam Border Guard Station, Major Nguyễn Văn Thi confirmed that 100% of fishing vessels entering and leaving ports are strictly inspected and registered through electronic management systems. The station requires all vessels to carry valid documents and safety equipment before going to sea.
Provincial Border Guard forces have conducted 78 awareness sessions for 4,875 vessel owners, captains, and fishermen; presented 160 national flags, 415 photos of President Hồ Chí Minh, and distributed 921 QR codes, leaflets, brochures, legal handbooks, and 70 welfare medicine kits to vessel owners; coordinated the voluntary decommissioning of 25 fishing vessels, 20 “two-no” vessels, and 5 “three-no” vessels; persuaded 109 electric and mechanical trawling vessels to dismantle their gear and commit to ceasing operations (with 4 vessels forcibly dismantled); and secured commitments from 660 fishermen not to violate IUU regulations.
Fishermen have shown strong cooperation. Võ Thanh Thể, a fisherman from Hoài Nhơn Bắc Ward, said his family’s vessel fully complies with anti-IUU requirements, equipped with a VMS and proper licensing. “While fishing is risky, we feel reassured knowing the Border Guard is always by our side,” he said.
Enforcement efforts have also been stepped up. Since 2024, the Provincial Border Guard has handled 41 cases involving 42 vessels violating IUU regulations, imposing administrative fines totaling more than VND 391 million (about USD 15,400).
Additional 114 administrative penalties for VMS disconnections and boundary violations amounted to VND 3.16 billion (about USD 124,000).
To align with the European Commission’s inspection process, the Provincial Border Guard has issued six plans, 22 official dispatches, and 31 telegrams; established four inter-agency and two inspection teams; and organized weekly evaluations of anti-IUU efforts.
Authorities have also completed a province-wide review of fishing vessels, relocating 100% of unqualified vessels to centralized management areas to prevent unauthorized departures.
Seven working groups were deployed to coordinate with officials in nine provinces and cities to persuade owners of 88 non-compliant vessels to return to port, with documentation completed for 65 so far.
Colonel Trần Tiến Hải, Commander of the Provincial Border Guard, said patrol operations now involve 413 teams and 2,531 officers and soldiers.
“We will continue to strictly enforce electronic registration and verification for all vessels at checkpoints and ensure 100% of those losing VMS connections are handled in accordance with regulations,” he emphasized.
On October 29, as part of the peak campaign against IUU fishing, Border Guard Flotilla 48 (under the Border Guard Command) coordinated with the Command of Coast Guard Region 2 (Vietnam Coast Guard Command) to conduct patrols, inspections, and monitoring in the waters off Gia Lai and Đắk Lắk.
Border Guard forces approach a violating fishing vessel. Photo: ĐVCC
During the operation, authorities inspected and documented violations by one fishing vessel from Đắk Lắk province for IUU infractions; additionally, two vessels from Khánh Hòa province were escorted to Vũng Rô port (Đắk Lắk province) for further investigation and legal processing.
Alongside inspection activities, the unit also conducted awareness campaigns for the two vessels and eight fishermen on IUU regulations; presented 10 national flags and distributed leaflets to raise awareness and responsibility among fishermen in complying with the law while fishing at sea.
