has implemented a decisive range of measures to manage its fishing fleet, monitor offshore activities, and ensure the traceability of aquatic products. The results achieved by January 23, 2026, continue to affirm the province's political commitment to working alongside the nation to promptly remove the IUU "yellow card" issued by the European Commission (EC).
Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Luong Nguyen Minh Triet dialogues with fishermen on maritime law compliance to help lift the IUU "yellow card".
Tightening fleet management and ensuring rigorous monitoring of fishing activities
According to Nguyen Thien Van, Deputy Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, combating IUU fishing is a top political priority for Dak Lak Province. This mission is being implemented decisively and comprehensively, with "no forbidden zones." All departments, sectors, and local authorities are mandated to heighten their responsibility in overseeing fishing operations across the province.
The province is prioritizing four key task groups: enforcing strict administrative penalties in the fisheries sector; tightening oversight of 'three-no' vessels (no registration, no license, no inspection); prosecuting serious violations with potential criminal liability; and bolstering controls to prevent commercial fraud in exports to the European market.
As of January 23, 2026, the province manages 2,570 fishing vessels. Data standardization is performed regularly to ensure regulatory compliance. Currently, only 22 vessels lack valid licenses; all have been blacklisted and are strictly prohibited from leaving port.
Furthermore, the province has streamlined its fleet by deregistering 649 vessels since early 2025, ensuring the database accurately reflects the operational reality as required by the EC.
Regarding journey monitoring, the province has achieved 100% VMS coverage for vessels 15 meters or longer (685/685 units). Any signal interruptions are rigorously verified and penalized to ensure zero tolerance for IUU violations at sea.
Traceability Control and Law Enforcement Rigor
Dak Lak province currently operates four fishing ports equipped to receive offshore vessels and verify seafood origins. Port authorities ensure 100% compliance, verifying that all vessels entering or departing possess valid documentation.
Fishermen's vessels arriving at the port must declare their catch and fishing logbooks in accordance with regulations to prevent IUU fishing .
Between January 1 and January 23, 2026, the province processed 713 port calls through the electronic Catch Documentation and Traceability (eCDT) system, with a total declared catch of 281 tons. During this window, authorities issued six Seafood Raw Material Certificates and three Certificates of Origin for the EU market. The widespread adoption of eCDT has significantly bolstered transparency—a pivotal factor in the EC’s "yellow card" review.
Enforcement has also been ramped up. Since early 2025, Dak Lak has penalized 36 IUU-related cases, totaling over 860 million VND in fines. Most notably, since September 2025, there have been zero recorded instances of provincial vessels detained for encroaching on foreign waters.
Deputy Chairman Nguyen Thien Van reaffirmed that combating IUU fishing remains a "top-tier, ongoing mission." The province will continue to intensify sea patrols, tighten port controls, and impose heavy sanctions on violators while fostering a culture of legal compliance among fishermen.
Through the synergy of the political system and the fishing community, Dak Lak is resolute in its goal: ending IUU fishing and securing a sustainable, responsible future for Vietnam’s fisheries.
