In 2026, Vietnam Coast Guard legal campaigns against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing directly reached more than 41,000 vessels and 350,000 fishermen.
The figure was reported at a review conference held in Ho Chi Minh City on October 15.
The outreach, integrated into the Coast Guard accompanies fishermen programme and the I love my homeland's seas and islands contest, also reached more than 30,000 residents and local officials on land.
Units distributed 15,888 national flags and 6,740 gifts to fishing families, provided free medical consultations for 2,050 coastal residents, and spent more than VNĐ15 billion (US$580,000).
QR-code legal leaflets, digital libraries, online tests and simulated trials on IUU violations were used to improve awareness and compliance.
A coordination conference on October 15 discussed field operations. It was chaired by Senior Colonel Nguyễn Đức Hiếu, Deputy Commander for Legal Affairs of Coast Guard Region 3.
From September 8 to October 13, forces patrolled overlapping waters between Việt Nam, Indonesia and Malaysia and extended maritime zones. An average of 196 to 342 Vietnamese offshore fishing vessels were monitored daily.
Authorities maintained contact with vessel owners, checked registers and investigated lost VMS connections. Officers conducted 3,935 radio sessions with 1,902 vessels and 14,378 crew members, and inspected 500 vessels with 3,500 fishermen.
Patrols distributed 469 flags and 1,497 leaflets. Officers continued despite thunderstorms and strong southwest winds.
The conference examined vessels crossing maritime boundaries, ignoring stop signals, disabling VMS, spoofing signals, using two VMS devices and entering foreign waters in poor visibility.
Senior Colonel Hiếu praised coordination and called for strict patrols, real-time information sharing and firm action to support efforts to remove the European Commission's yellow card warning on Vietnamese seafood.
Outstanding performance in the emulation movement
At an October 12 conference in Phước Thắng Ward, Emulation Group No. 2 reviewed its 2026 Determined to Win movement and commendation work.
The group carried out more than 1,400 sorties and covered over 730,000 nautical miles safely. More than 1,000 non-compliant vessels were fined.
Units handled 27 narcotics cases, intercepted an illegal 1.16-tonne shipment, and rescued 17 vessels and 197 people, including 20 foreign tourists.
The units received 43 certificates of merit, including one from the Prime Minister. Authorities also commended 445 collectives and 947 individuals.
Sources: Viet Nam News
