The Government Inspector General will direct the focus on inspecting a number of localities

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has just signed and issued Official Dispatch No. 03/CD-TTg dated January 13, 2026 on continuing to focus on implementing the task of combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

The Prime Minister requested the Minister of Agriculture and Environment (MONRE) to direct the continued chairmanship and coordination with the Ministries of National Defense, Public Security, Justice and relevant agencies to establish interdisciplinary inspection teams to organize inspections in localities.

In which, focus on inspecting, evaluating the results and completing the dossier, clarifying the responsibilities of all levels according to the inspection results, synthesizing the results, and reporting to the Prime Minister before January 25, 2026.

Check and verify the authenticity of the " records closure" results reported by localities (very high rate, over 90%); clarify whether the records are in accordance with regulations, whether violations are uncompromised or not punished/not punished correctly; at the same time, clearly identify the responsibilities of each level, each agency, unit, and individual involved.

The Minister of National Defense directs to continue patrolling and controlling in the waters bordering countries to avoid fishing vessels violating foreign waters; directs border posts/stations to strictly control fishing vessels entering and leaving the border stations, ensuring consistency with data on fishing vessels entering and leaving fishing ports; strengthens propaganda and guidance for captains and ship owners to implement the eCDT system according to regulations.

The Minister of Public Security directed an urgent investigation and trial of the case of brokerage of fishing vessels/fishingermen for illegal fishing in foreign waters; at the same time, speed up the investigation and thoroughly handle the violation of organizations and individuals related to the batches of fish and chess at a number of enterprises according to the report of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs directs the work of working with the authorities of the host country and the captains being detained abroad to investigate, collect evidence, and thoroughly handle violations according to regulations. Complete before January 25.

The Government Inspector General directs the focus on inspecting a number of localities as required; clarifying responsibilities in organizing the implementation of the task of combating IUU fishing. Report the results to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment for synthesis before January 25, 2026.

Request the Provincial and Municipal Party Secretaries to direct the Chairmen of the People's Committees of provinces and cities with fishing vessels to be responsible for arranging and focusing resources to resolutely and seriously implement measures to combat IUU fishing, and to be directly and comprehensively responsible to the Government and the Prime Minister for administrative sanctions and the "closing of records" in combating IUU fishing.

The Prime Minister noted that it is absolutely not recommended to report "100% handling" when in reality it has not been completely handled.

Report on the review and adjustment of statistical solutions, control of data on fishing vessels entering and leaving ports (entering/entering ports), ensuring consistent data, not "squeezing" between forces, control stages and related data systems.

Immediately implement the contents requested by the Inspection Team; overcome the shortcomings according to the conclusions/recommendations after the inspection; clarify the responsibilities of all levels for limitations and shortcomings (if any), report to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment before January 25, 2026.

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