Lam Dong Restructures Fishing Fleet and Supports Livelihood Transition
To reduce pressure on natural fishery resources, Lam Dong’s coastal areas urgently need to restructure the fishing fleet toward modernization while supporting career transitions for some fishermen. The goal is to improve production efficiency and meet international standards for fisheries management.
Currently, the province has 8,210 registered fishing vessels measuring more than six meters in length, operating with various fishing methods such as longlining, gillnetting and trap fishing. However, around 800 vessels are still engaged in prohibited fishing practices in coastal and nearshore waters, causing environmental damage and depleting marine resources.
According to the Department of Agriculture and Environment, the fisheries sector faces several challenges, including declining fish stocks, degraded marine ecosystems and shrinking fishing grounds.
By 2030, the province aims to help around 3,000 fishermen change occupations and reduce the fishing fleet to about 7,200 vessels. All fishing vessels are expected to maintain stable connections to the Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) and use electronic fishing logbooks.
Fishermen will be encouraged to shift to aquaculture, seafood processing and other related services. Authorities will also provide technical training, production guidance and support for equipment and materials to help fishermen develop new livelihoods linked to market demand.