Peak campaign to lift IUU "yellow card"
In September 2026, Lam Dong, along with localities nationwide, is implementing a series of decisive measures as part of an intensive campaign aimed at having the IUU "yellow card" lifted as soon as possible. These efforts include the verification and certification of the origin of caught seafood by agencies and enterprises in accordance with regulations.
A task of paramount importance
The Lam Dong Provincial People's Committee has determined that combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing is not merely a matter of implementing technical recommendations, but also a political task of paramount importance.
Accordingly, the province has established three working delegations to inspect the implementation of tasks to combat IUU fishing by specialized agencies, units, and key fishing localities. At the same time, inspections are being conducted at several seafood processing and exporting enterprises within the province.
Notably, one of the key focuses in this inspection and review campaign is the verification and certification of the origin of catches by agencies and enterprises in accordance with regulations. According to the assessment results of Inspection Team No. 3 under the Lam Dong Provincial Inter-sectoral Working Group on IUU Fishing, all enterprises have established and implemented relevant IUU control and traceability procedures in accordance with regulations.
The head of the delegation acknowledged and commended Lam Dong’s efforts, while noting that the province needs to continue reviewing the arrangement of satellite fishing ports to ensure there are no gaps in management.
Senior Colonel Bui Yen Tinh, Deputy Director of the Operations
Department
In addition, records for each shipment must ensure full traceability of its origin. However, some enterprises have not yet issued procedures and regulations to prevent domestically caught raw materials from being mixed with imported raw materials, nor have they issued regulations for controlling imported raw materials...
One of the difficulties mentioned by enterprises is that sourcing raw materials with the complete documentation required to obtain catch certificates for fishery products exported to the EU is becoming increasingly difficult. In addition, rising production costs have caused many fishermen to reduce or suspend fishing trips, leading to unstable domestic raw material supplies and steadily rising raw material prices. To maintain production operations and ensure jobs for workers, some enterprises have had to import seafood raw materials to sustain their processing operations.
Towards modern, transparent, and sustainable fisheries development
To address these shortcomings, seafood processing and exporting enterprises have called for a review of zoning and boundary demarcation in certain marine areas. At the same time, they have called for stronger communication efforts and broader guidance for fishermen on the use of the eCDT system (Vietnam's electronic catch documentation and traceability system). They have also proposed strengthening human resources at designated fishing ports to manage fishing vessels entering and leaving port and verify the origin of caught seafood, alongside increasing the number of designated fishing ports in the province.
The provincial Steering Committee for IUU Prevention and Control also acknowledged that monitoring fishing vessels entering ports to unload their catches and verifying actual catch volumes remain challenging, especially at temporary wharves and informal coastal landing sites.
In September 2026, the province's inter-sectoral IUU working group conducted field inspections in key areas. Localities with a high risk of fishing vessel violations, such as Phan Ri Cua, Lien Huong, Phu Thuy, Phan Thiet, Mui Ne, La Gi, and Phu Quy, were reviewed and assessed. During the same period, a delegation from the Ministry of National Defense's Steering Committee conducted field surveys and working sessions at the La Gi Border Guard Station and Fishing Port. The delegation closely inspected port entry and exit procedures through the eCDT system, the maintenance of record books, and the monitoring of catch volumes.
According to the plan, in September 2026, the European Commission (EC) will conduct its sixth inspection of Vietnam's efforts to combat IUU fishing. With the concerted efforts of the entire political system and growing awareness among fishermen, Lam Dong is making every effort to help have the IUU "yellow card" lifted as soon as possible, thereby advancing towards a modern, transparent, and sustainable fisheries sector.
According to the Lam Dong Provincial Steering Committee for IUU Prevention and Control, by early September 2026, more than 45,900 tons of seafood had been monitored through fishing ports, of which 45,842 tons had been recorded through the eCDT system, accounting for 99.86%.