Electronic tracking for fishing vessels

Modernizing Fisheries Management: Implementing the eCDT System to Combat IUU Fishing

According to Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Phung Duc Tien, the deployment of the electronic Catch Documentation and Traceability (eCDT) system is a crucial requirement for managing fishing vessels, controlling landed catches at ports, and ensuring transparent traceability. This is also a core solution aimed at modernizing fisheries management in line with international integration requirements and regulations regarding the fight against Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing.

The country currently has 86 fishing ports eligible for operation, including 72 ports qualified to receive offshore fishing vessels and 51 ports authorized to certify seafood origin. Alongside infrastructure investment, the eCDT system and electronic logbooks (eLogbooks) have been developed to meet traceability requirements from central to local levels, ensuring transparency and legality for seafood products from departure to landing.

According to the roadmap, the eCDT system will be officially implemented nationwide starting in early 2026. Fishing vessels, ports, and authorities will be required to perform electronic declarations for departures and arrivals while updating catch data on the system. In An Giang, the Provincial Fishing Port Management Board has assigned specialized personnel to verify vessel information and monitor offloading volumes through the eCDT system.

To date, the province has 3,642 out of 3,659 eCDT accounts active, with 100% of vessels over 15 meters participating. Statements of Catch (SC) and Catch Certificates (CC) are now processed entirely through eCDT, enhancing transparency and origin control.

Overcoming Challenges

However, like many coastal provinces, An Giang faces difficulties in provincial-wide implementation. Mr. Vo Van Vo, Acting Director of the Provincial Fisheries and Fisheries Surveillance Sub-department, noted: An Giang has a fleet of over 10,000 vessels over 6 meters, including 3,500 over 15 meters. Yet, the number of vessels landing products at designated ports remains limited. In 2025, the An Thoi and Tac Cau designated ports recorded 5,483 arrivals/departures with nearly 38,000 tons of landed catch.

The primary cause is inconsistent port infrastructure. The province currently has only two ports qualified for origin certification. Many vessels still prefer private wharves to reduce costs. Additionally, some fishermen and captains find the eCDT system difficult to navigate. Mr. Huynh Van Ut, a vessel owner in Kien Luong, expressed: Clam fishermen struggle with certification at private wharves. I hope the province recognizes qualified private ports to facilitate paperwork.

  

 

Mr. Le Huu Toan, Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, stated: To resolve these issues, the department is reviewing traditional and private wharves that meet Ministry criteria to add them to the list of authorized ports. We are also guiding local authorities to allocate vessels to appropriate ports to ensure full regulatory compliance.

The province has requested the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to increase training on traceability for imported seafood, especially containerized goods. They also urged coordination with service providers to help fishermen install and use eLogbooks to ensure honest records of the entire fishing and transport process.

Accelerating the eCDT and eLogbook systems not only improves management efficiency but serves as a fundamental solution to lift the yellow card on IUU fishing, enhancing the reputation and value of Vietnamese seafood globally toward a modern, transparent, and sustainable industry.

Source: baoangiang

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