Tien Thanh Ward in Lam Dong Province on August 23 held a programme with Fisheries Surveillance Squadron No. 4 under Coast Guard Region 3 to raise awareness of fisheries regulations and IUU prevention.
Fisheries surveillance officers briefed fishermen on the Fisheries Law, the Vietnam Coast Guard Law and regulations aimed at combating IUU fishing.
Organisers also presented 40 gifts worth VND 1 million (USD 38) each to disadvantaged fishermen and policy beneficiary families, while providing free health checks, consultations and medicines.
Local officials said authorities have stepped up efforts to encourage vessel owners, captains and fishermen to comply with fishing regulations, but preventing IUU fishing remains challenging, particularly the risk of vessels operating illegally in foreign waters.
Violations could affect fishermen's livelihoods as well as the reputation of Vietnam's fishing industry, they said.
Following the awareness programme, vessel owners, captains and fishermen signed commitments not to engage in IUU fishing and to comply with fisheries regulations.
Lam Dong has 24 coastal communes, wards and special zones with a long fishing tradition. The province has more than 8,000 fishing vessels and over 40,000 fishermen directly engaged in fishing.