In 2025, Vietnam’s fisheries sector is under pressure after the United States announced a list of fishing groups not recognized as equivalent under the MMPA. Failure to meet these requirements could lead to a seafood import ban, threatening production and fishermen’s livelihoods.
Acting on directives from the Provincial People’s Committee and the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, the Gia Lai Department of Agriculture and Environment has coordinated with relevant agencies and coastal localities to strengthen marine mammal protection.
In 2025, Vietnam’s fisheries sector is under pressure after the United States announced a list of fishing groups not recognized as equivalent under the MMPA. Failure to meet these requirements could lead to a seafood import ban, threatening production and fishermen’s livelihoods.
Acting on directives from the Provincial People’s Committee and the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, the Gia Lai Department of Agriculture and Environment has coordinated with relevant agencies and coastal localities to strengthen marine mammal protection.
Key measures include training programs to raise awareness among fishermen, guidance on maintaining fishing logs, and clear procedures for handling and reporting sightings or rescues of marine mammals. Monitoring at fishing ports has also been tightened to ensure full control of seafood landings.
Authorities are reviewing vessel registration data and fishing licenses for boats operating in 12 fishing groups identified as having a high risk of interaction with marine mammals, groups that could be flagged by the U.S. under the MMPA. Based on these assessments, management agencies are developing targeted plans to adjust fishing gear and support a transition to more sustainable practices.
On December 16 and 17, the Sub-Department of Fisheries organized sea turtle conservation training for more than 150 officials and fishermen in coastal areas including Hoai Nhon, Phu My Dong and Cat Tien, with participation from border guard forces and port management boards. Participants were briefed on the provincial action plan to mitigate the risk of a U.S. import ban, trained in safe handling of accidentally caught marine mammals, and instructed on reporting incidents through a dedicated mobile application.
The province currently has 5,751 active fishing vessels, with tuna fishing and purse seine fishing accounting for a significant share. Officials say categorizing fishing groups enables authorities to identify high-risk areas and develop appropriate control measures tailored to vessel types and local conditions.
Gia Lai is also promoting the use of environmentally friendly fishing gear, such as circle hooks, and encouraging the installation of dolphin deterrent devices to reduce the risk of entanglement. So far, 63 vessels in Hoai Nhon Dong, Hoai Nhon Tay and Cat Tien have installed a total of 121 deterrent devices.
Nguyễn Thành Danh, Vice Chairman of the People’s Committee of Quy Nhon Dong Ward, said the locality will intensify communication efforts in 2025 to raise awareness among fishermen and tourists about protecting dolphins, whales and sea turtles. He noted that thanks to improved awareness, all marine mammals appearing in the area have been kept safe.
At fishing ports, the Provincial Port Management Board has installed information panels on marine mammal protection and the conservation of endangered aquatic species, while increasing oversight of seafood volumes. Authorities report that 100% of vessels are now supervised and their fishing logs checked, with no recorded cases of fishing activities or collisions harming marine mammals.
Meanwhile, the fisheries inspection force has stepped up patrols in coastal waters. Over the past year, it carried out nine patrols, inspected 207 fishing vessels and handled 41 administrative violations, imposing fines totaling more than 340 million VND (about USD 13,500).
Looking ahead to 2026, Cao Thanh Thương, Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment, said the sector will continue to strengthen protection for rare and endangered marine species, tighten monitoring of fishing logs, improve seafood traceability and accelerate the transition to sustainable fishing practices.
“This is a fundamental solution for the province’s fisheries sector to effectively adapt to increasingly stringent international standards,” he said.