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

UPDATE: Vietnam’s fishing communities are bracing for a storm of new regulations and significant risks as the European Commission’s yellow card looms over their seafood exports. With the deadline set for the end of 2025, Vietnam is racing against time to comply with strict measures aimed at curbing illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

On the rusted wharf of Haiphong, 70-year-old fisherman Bui Quang Mong struggles to adapt. For decades, he has weathered storms and faced the dangers of fishing in the South China Sea. Now, bureaucratic pressures threaten to cut off his livelihood, worth over $500 million annually in seafood exports. Missing the EU’s compliance deadline could lead to a full red card, effectively shutting down Vietnam’s seafood industry in European markets.

Adding to the uncertainty, a new U.S.-Vietnam tariff agreement has been announced, but its implications for fishermen remain unclear. U.S. trade officials are closely monitoring the same IUU compliance metrics as the EU, raising concerns that failure to meet the EU’s standards could result in increased tariffs on Vietnamese seafood exports.

“We’re facing new threats from both Europe and the U.S.,” says Captain Dang Van Nhan, a third-generation fisherman who has navigated these treacherous waters for decades. His vessel was once rammed by a Chinese naval ship, showcasing the perilous conditions that fishermen endure. “The dangers are not just from the weather; they are political and lethal.”

As Vietnam grapples with these challenges, the government has introduced a comprehensive fishing action plan requiring all vessels to be registered, with every catch digitally traceable. This initiative aims to eliminate IUU fishing but adds pressure on fishermen already struggling against the backdrop of rising tensions with Chinese maritime forces.

The shrinking sea and tightening regulations have led to a critical question among fishermen: What if the sea itself is no longer enough? Analysts warn that the combination of international scrutiny and geopolitical tensions could severely impact livelihoods, pushing many to the brink.

In response to these challenges, Vietnam is investing in high-tech aquaculture and establishing marine reserves, such as those in Cat Ba Bay. These efforts aim to restore fish populations and provide sustainable alternatives for fishermen. However, the immediate needs for fuel and sustenance remain paramount for those on the front lines of this industry.

Fisherman Mong expresses a sentiment shared by many: “I don’t know Washington or Brussels. I just know I need work.” As the government pushes for compliance with new regulations, the reality on the ground for fishermen remains precarious. They are caught between international demands for sustainability and the harsh political realities of fishing in contested waters.

Vietnam is at a crucial juncture. The nation must balance the need for regulatory compliance with the survival of its fishing communities. As they navigate these turbulent waters, the future of both the fish and the fishermen hangs in the balance.

This urgent situation not only affects the fishermen but also raises broader questions about the future of coastal communities across Southeast Asia. Amid the pressures of superpower conflicts and environmental changes, the human cost of these regulatory shifts is becoming painfully clear. The world is watching as Vietnam fights to protect its maritime heritage and support its fishermen in the face of growing uncertainty.