Urgent Update: Vietnam’s Fishermen Face Tightening Rules and Risks

URGENT UPDATE: Vietnam’s fishing communities are confronting new regulations and escalating risks as the deadline to address illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing looms. On November 13, 2023, the European Commission warned that failure to comply by the end of 2025 could severely impact seafood exports valued at over $500 million annually.

At the rusted wharf in Haiphong, 70-year-old fisherman Bui Quang Mong tirelessly repairs his net, embodying the struggle of thousands like him. “I only know if there is work,” he says, dismissing the distant bureaucratic decisions in Brussels and Washington that could dictate his livelihood.

Vietnam is racing to eliminate the EU’s yellow card, a warning against IUU fishing practices, amidst growing scrutiny from U.S. trade officials who are monitoring compliance closely. If Vietnam fails to lift the yellow card, U.S. tariffs on seafood could increase, compounding the pressure on fishermen already facing hazardous conditions at sea.

Under new regulations directed by the Vietnamese government, all fishing vessels must now be registered, and every catch must be digitally traceable. This nationwide campaign aims to combat IUU fishing, yet it brings uncertainty to fishermen already grappling with the dangers posed by Chinese naval vessels in contested waters.

Captain Dang Van Nhan, a third-generation skipper, recounts the harrowing moment when his trawler was rammed by a Chinese ship. The political landscape has changed the sea from a source of sustenance to a battleground, where fishermen must navigate both natural storms and geopolitical tensions.

In response to these challenges, authorities are promoting high-tech aquaculture, especially in areas like Cat Ba Bay, where they are replacing traditional wooden boats with durable plastic alternatives. Additionally, the government has established marine reserves and released over 2.1 million aquatic species to replenish declining stocks.

While these initiatives demonstrate a commitment to sustainability, the reality for fishermen remains grim. Many are unprepared for the shift towards digital compliance, often lacking the education to navigate new regulations. “What if the sea itself is no longer enough?” Mong and others ponder, as they are squeezed by superpower conflicts and climate change.

As Vietnam strives to keep its seafood exports flowing to European markets, the looming threat of tighter regulations poses a crucial question: Can the government reconcile the need for compliance with the harsh realities faced by its fishermen?

The situation remains fluid, with the balance of power in the South China Sea directly impacting the lives of those who depend on it. Vietnam is at a critical juncture, fighting to protect both its fishing industry and the livelihoods of its fishermen. The world is watching as this maritime nation attempts to navigate through bureaucratic hurdles while facing the relentless tides of change.

As developments unfold, the urgency for both compliance and survival becomes increasingly palpable for Vietnam’s vulnerable fishing communities.