Sam Son Border Guard Station inspects vessel tracking devices on fishing boats used by fishermen.
With a large number of fishing vessels operating across many sea areas, the management of these vessels faces increasingly stringent requirements. The province has 6,315 fishing vessels, of which 1,041 are 15 meters or longer and regularly operate in offshore areas. Effectively utilizing data from the Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) helps authorities monitor vessel activity, promptly detect any unusual signs, and verify and handle them according to regulations.
The Sam Son Border Guard Station is responsible for managing the coastal area, which includes two large estuaries: Lach Hoi and Lach Ghep. The area has 2,443 fishing vessels with approximately 8,697 workers operating at sea. To manage this large number of vessels, the unit has intensified inspections at the estuaries and fishing ports; focusing on checking documents, vessel tracking devices, and the operating conditions of vessels before departure. Information from the vessel tracking system is combined with management records and the results of on-site inspections to monitor and verify cases showing signs of violations.
Along with inspection and control, the Sam Son Border Guard Station focuses on disseminating information and raising awareness of law compliance among ship owners, captains, and fishermen. In the first six months of 2026, the unit handled 6 administrative violations involving 6 fishing vessels and 6 individuals, with a total fine of 74 million VND. In addition, the unit advised the Provincial Border Guard Command on handling 17 violations in the fisheries sector, with a total fine of nearly 595 million VND. By September 2026, the unit had conducted over 130 public awareness sessions via local loudspeaker systems, distributed over 500 leaflets to owners of vessels 15 meters or longer, and encouraged 475 ship owners to sign commitments to comply with regulations on fisheries exploitation.
Lieutenant Colonel Luong Ba Thanh, Head of Sam Son Border Guard Station, said: “Combining propaganda with inspection and handling of violations contributes to raising awareness and responsibility among fishermen. The unit continues to link the control of vessels with the exploitation of vessel tracking data, promptly verifying unusual signs and improving the effectiveness of managing fishing vessels in the area.”
The Nghi Son Port Border Guard Command has also implemented a comprehensive approach to managing fishing vessels. One of the key areas of focus is guiding fishermen in applying technology to their fishing operations. Within the unit’s jurisdiction, 603 out of 608 fishing vessels subject to mandatory traceability have installed and are using electronic seafood traceability software (eCDT). Unit officers have directly guided vessel owners on software usage, assisted in updating fishing trip information, and completed related procedures. The use of eCDT contributes to enhanced management of fishing information and facilitates seafood traceability.
In carrying out its duties, the unit established 5 task forces with 42 officers and soldiers using ships, boats, and canoes to patrol and control the sea. Management work was combined with direct propaganda, mobilizing ship owners to comply with regulations and strengthening supervision at the grassroots level. The unit also advised local authorities to strengthen 5 community monitoring teams and establish a specialized propaganda team on combating IUU fishing, promoting the role of the government and people in detecting and preventing violations.
From January 2024 to August 2026, the Nghi Son Port Border Guard Command handled 25 administrative violations involving 25 vehicles and 26 individuals, with a total fine of 102 million VND. The unit also advised the Provincial Border Guard Command to impose fines on 13 cases, totaling over 1.07 billion VND; including 8 cases related to the disconnection of vehicle tracking devices.
Colonel Le Van Nam, Deputy Commander and Chief of Staff of the Provincial Border Guard Command, stated: “To enhance the effectiveness of combating IUU (Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated) fishing, the Provincial Border Guard continues to coordinate with relevant agencies and local authorities to review, classify, and strictly manage the fishing fleet. Fishing vessels that do not meet operating requirements are controlled locally to prevent them from leaving ports illegally. For vessels equipped with vessel tracking devices, functional forces maintain monitoring to promptly detect and warn of the risk of crossing fishing boundaries. In addition, information exchange between the Border Guard and the coast guard, navy, fisheries inspectorate, fisheries management agencies, and local authorities continues to be strengthened. Models of solidarity fishing groups, self-managed ports and harbors, and community monitoring groups are being promoted to expand the management network, support early detection of violations, and contribute to achieving the goal of lifting the European Commission’s “yellow card” warning and developing sustainable fisheries.”
Text and photos: Hoang Lan