Vietnam Seeks to Employ Digital Transformation to Lift European Commission's IUU 'Yellow Card' Warning
In an effort to address the European Commission's (EC) "yellow card" warning for illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, Vietnam is embracing digital transformation within its fisheries sector. By adopting digital tools and systems, the country is enhancing transparency, traceability, and management efficiency, essential steps towards meeting EC requirements and potentially lifting the yellow card.
One key initiative is the Electronic Catch Documentation and Traceability (eCDT) system. Fishermen now use this software to digitally record detailed information about catch type, fishing zones, and buyers. This shift from paper forms to digital entries makes the reporting process faster, more accurate, and less prone to errors or deliberate misinformation, helping to avoid IUU violations.
Real-time monitoring and data sharing are another crucial aspect of this digital transformation. Management authorities can now monitor vessel activities and catch data in real time, allowing quick detection of suspicious activities and ensuring better enforcement of legal fishing practices.
Mobile apps and digital communication platforms are also playing a significant role. Fishermen use apps for tracking their boats, submitting catch logs, and reporting incidents remotely, without the need to visit government offices. Social platforms like Zalo groups connect vessel owners, captains, officials, and law enforcement, facilitating rapid updates about regulations, IUU alerts, and emergency support.
Training and inclusion are also essential parts of this digital shift. Local officials provide training to fishermen, including older and less-educated ones, enabling them to adapt to digital tools and report their activities effectively. This inclusivity ensures broad adoption and uniform compliance across fishing communities.
Comprehensive oversight and accountability are also being established. Provinces are documenting vessel identities, mooring locations, and GPS coordinates systematically, ensuring full transparency and control over fishing operations.
HCM City, in particular, has invested approximately VNĐ25 billion (around US$980,000) over the past two years in digital fisheries infrastructure, training, and system development. As of now, 100% of fishing ports in the city have implemented the national eCDT software system to monitor incoming and outgoing vessels. Local fishermen are increasingly using specialized software, including electronic logbooks and IUU violation reporting apps.
A dedicated Zalo group connects vessel owners, fisheries officials, law enforcement agencies, and facilitates real-time information exchange. The city is also testing a pilot platform that includes real-time vessel tracking, violation alerts, data visualisation, and monitoring of "three no" vessels (vessels involved in IUU activities, human trafficking, or drug smuggling).
In the former Bà Rịa - Vũng Tàu area, the Fisheries Surveillance Base 2 operates three separate systems for port management, vessel monitoring, and IUU violation handling. These initiatives, when combined, build a transparent, accountable, and modern fisheries management system that aligns with international standards, a crucial step towards having the EC's "yellow card" lifted.
Successful removal of the warning would not only protect marine resources and promote legal fishing practices but also restore access to key seafood export markets in Europe, with significant economic benefits for the Vietnamese seafood industry.
- In an effort to address the EC's yellow card warning for IUU fishing, Vietnam is adopting AI technology in its fisheries sector, with one key initiative being the Electronic Catch Documentation and Traceability (eCDT) system.
- As part of this digital transformation, fishermen are now using AI to digitally record catch information, enhancing transparency and accuracy in the reporting process.
- Mobile apps and digital platforms are facilitating real-time communication among fishermen, officials, and law enforcement, promoting swift updates about regulations, IUU alerts, and emergency support.
- The Vietnamese government is investing in digital infrastructure, technology, and training to ensure broad adoption of these systems, aiming to build a modern, transparent, and accountable fisheries management system that aligns with international standards.
- Successfully lifting the EC's yellow card would not only protect marine resources and promote legal fishing practices but also open access to key seafood export markets in Europe, potentially offering significant economic benefits for Vietnam's seafood industry.
