Vietnam downsizes offshore fishing fleet

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has cut the number of licenses for offshore fishing to 29,552, a 5.6% decline over the 2019-2024 period, to better protect marine resources.

Of the total, 27,132 licenses are issued for fishing vessels to exploit aquatic resources, while 2,420 licenses are given to vessels providing logistic support.

Kien Giang leads the total number of licenses received, with 3,720 permits, followed by Binh Dinh with 3,280, and Quang Ngai with 3,102 permits.

The reduction of fishing permits primarily falls on trawler vessels, while fishery support vessels see an increase in their fishing permits.

The move is based on surveys on aquatic resources from 2011 to 2020, total allowable catches in offshore waters, and the structure of fishing activities and target exploitation groups, according to the Directorate of Fisheries.

This adjustment aims to conserve resources, sustain the development of the fisheries sector, and contribute to combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. Previously, Government Decree 38/2024/ND-CP, aimed at curbing unlicensed fishing, stipulates penalties for violations in the fisheries sector and is set to take effect on May 20. Violators may be fined between VND5 million and VND10 million for offenses such as failing to carry authentic permits or fishing in inland waters without authorization.