Circular No. 81/2025/TT-BNNMT on recording, submitting reports, fishing logs; inspecting fishing vessels and monitoring fishery production at fish ports; list of fishing vessels engaged in illegal fishing; confirming raw materials and certifying the origin of harvested fisheries products

CIRCULAR

Regulations on recording, submitting reports, fishing logs; inspecting fishing vessels and monitoring fishery production at fish ports; lists of fishing vessels engaged in illegal fishing; confirmation of raw materials, certification of origin of harvested fishery products

Pursuant to the Fisheries Law No. 18/2017/QH14 amended and supplemented by Law No. 146/2025/QH15;

Pursuant to the Government's Decree No. 35/2025/NĐ-CP dated February 25, 2025, stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development;

At the proposal of the Director of the Fisheries and Fishery Surveillance General Department;

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development issues this Circular stipulating regulations on recording, submitting reports, fishing logs; inspecting fishing vessels and monitoring fishery production at fish ports; lists of fishing vessels engaged in illegal fishing; confirmation of raw materials, certification of origin of harvested fishery products.

PART I
GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope of Regulation

This Circular stipulates

1. Detailed contents of certain provisions of the Fisheries Law 2017 including:

a) Point h Clause 2 Article 52 (amended and supplemented at point e Clause 21 Article 14 of the Law amending and supplementing some articles of 15 Laws in the field of agriculture and rural development);

b) Clause 3 Article 60 (amended and supplemented at point e Clause 21 Article 14 of the Law amending and supplementing some articles of 15 Laws in the field of agriculture and rural development);

c) Clause 4 Article 61 (amended and supplemented at point e Clause 21 Article 14 of the Law amending and supplementing some articles of 15 Laws in the field of agriculture and rural development).

2. On inspection of fishing vessels and monitoring fishery production at fish ports.

Article 2. Applicability

Organizations and individuals related to fishing activities for aquatic resources, post-fishing support services; purchasing, transshipment, transportation, loading/unloading, processing, import/export of harvested fishery products; confirmation of raw materials, certification of origin of harvested fishery products, confirmation of commitment of imported fishery raw materials for export processing to markets with requirements.

Article 3. Explanation of Terms

In this Circular, the following terms are understood as follows:

1. Fishing logbook is a record made on paper or electronically that records information about fishing operations at sea of fishing vessels.

2. Purchase and transshipment logbook is a record made on paper or electronically that records information about the process of purchasing and transshipping aquatic products of post-fishing support vessels.

3. Fishing report is a record made on paper or electronically that records the results of fishing operations of fishing vessels or post-fishing support vessels with a maximum length from 6 to less than 12 meters for a single voyage.

4. Confirmation of fishery raw materials is the confirmation by the competent authority of fishery raw materials of origin from harvesting that does not violate the regulations on illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing.

5. Certification of origin of harvested fishery products is the certification by the competent authority of exported consignments of fishery products of origin from harvesting that does not violate the regulations on illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing.

6. Confirmation of commitment of imported fishery raw materials or fishery products produced from imported fishery raw materials is the confirmation by the competent authority of exported consignments of fishery products processed from imported fishery raw materials of origin from harvesting that does not violate the regulations on illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing.

Article 4. General Provisions on Administrative Procedures in this Circular

1. Organizations and individuals may submit applications and receive results of administrative procedures through the following methods:

a) Directly at the One-Stop Service Center;

b) Through public postal services according to the Prime Minister's regulations, through hiring services of enterprises or individuals, or through authorization according to the law;

c) Online at the National Public Service Portal.

2. Forms of application:

a) In cases where applications are submitted according to the methods prescribed in points a and b Clause 1 of this Article: Application components are original copies or true copies or certified true copies;

b) In cases where applications are submitted according to the method prescribed in point c Clause 1 of this Article: Application components are original copies established in the electronic environment or original copies, true copies scanned according to regulations.

3. Number of applications: 01 set.

4. Acceptance of administrative procedure applications, payment methods for fees and other financial obligations, and ways to deliver results of administrative procedures shall be carried out according to the Government's regulations on implementing administrative procedures under the one-stop and interlinked one-stop mechanisms at the One-Stop Service Center and the National Public Service Portal.

5. In cases where applications are in foreign languages, they must have a Vietnamese translation according to regulations.

6. Organizations and individuals are responsible for the legality of the applications they submit.

7. The competent authority handling administrative procedures shall immediately respond to the completeness of the application in cases prescribed in point a Clause 1 of this Article; respond to the completeness of the application within 01 working day in cases prescribed in points b and c Clause 1 of this Article.

Chapter II
RECORDING, SUBMITTING FISHING LOGS AND REPORTS

Article 5. Recording and Submitting Fishing Logs and Reports for Fishing Boats Exploiting Fishery Resources

1. The captain of fishing boats exploiting fishery resources with a maximum length of 12 meters or more must record daily fishing logs according to Model No. 01 attached as Appendix I of this Circular; submit the fishing log to the fishing port management organization before unloading seafood. The fishing log can be recorded on paper with the signature of the captain or electronically with a unique identifier installed by the equipment provider and automatically updated with the voyage number within the year.

2. The captain of fishing boats exploiting fishery resources with a maximum length from 6 to less than 12 meters must record fishing reports according to Model No. 03 attached as Appendix I of this Circular; submit the fishing report to the fishing port management organization on a weekly basis.

3. The owner of fishing boats exploiting fishery resources with a maximum length under 6 meters, during the fishing process, if they accidentally catch endangered, precious, or rare aquatic species, must record a report according to Model No. 03 attached as Appendix I of this Circular (excluding information about yield); submit the report to the commune authority when there is an accidental catch of endangered, precious, or rare aquatic species.

4. Electronic fishing logs and electronic confirmation of harvested aquatic raw materials according to the prescribed model shall be used as a basis for confirming and certifying harvested aquatic products.

Article 6. Recording and Submitting Fishing Logs and Reports for Fishing Support Boats Exploiting Fishery Resources

1. The captain of fishing boats purchasing and transferring seafood must record daily logs of purchasing and transferring seafood according to Model No. 02 attached as Appendix I of this Circular; submit the log of purchasing and transferring seafood to the fishing port management organization before unloading seafood. The log of purchasing and transferring seafood can be recorded on paper with the signature of the captain or electronically with a unique identifier installed by the equipment provider and automatically updated with the voyage number within the year.

2. The captain of fishing boats surveying, searching, and attracting fishery resources must record reports on surveying, searching, and attracting fishery resources according to Model No. 04 attached as Appendix I of this Circular; submit the report on surveying, searching, and attracting fishery resources to the fishing port management organization within 24 hours after the boat docks at the port.

3. Electronic logs of purchasing and transferring seafood and electronic confirmation of harvested aquatic raw materials according to the prescribed model shall be used as a basis for confirming and certifying harvested aquatic products.

Chapter III
INSPECTION OF FISHING BOATS AND MONITORING OF FISHERY YIELD AT FISHING PORTS, LIST OF ILLEGAL FISHERY EXPLOITATION BOATS, NON-REPORTING, AND NON-COMPLIANCE

Article 7. Inspection of Fishing Boats and Monitoring of Fishe Yield at Fishing Ports

1. Implementing Authority

a) The Department of Agriculture and Environment organizes inspections of fishing boats at fishing ports;

b) The fishing port management organization monitors the unloading of seafood through the port; arranges office space and coordinates to implement inspections of fishing boats at fishing ports.

2. Monitoring Unloading of Seafood Through the Port

Upon receiving a request to dock at the port from the captain of a fishing boat, the fishing port management organization compares it with the list of illegal fishing boats and the list of fishing boats at high risk of violating illegal fishing regulations; if the fishing boat is listed as an illegal fishing boat, it will not be allowed to unload seafood and the relevant authorities will be notified to handle the matter according to regulations; if the fishing boat is listed as a high-risk fishing boat for violating illegal fishing regulations, it will be arranged to dock at the port and the relevant authorities will be notified to inspect and handle the matter according to regulations; if the fishing boat is not listed as an illegal fishing boat, it will be arranged to dock at the port to unload seafood and staff will be assigned to monitor the quantity and species composition of seafood unloaded through the port.

If the total actual unloading volume of seafood differs by 20% from the declared volume before docking, a record will be made and handled according to authority or transferred to the competent authority for handling according to regulations.

3. Receipt of Harvested Seafood Unloaded

At the request of organizations or individuals purchasing seafood, the fishing port management organization checks the information declared on the Receipt of Unloaded Harvested Seafood according to Model No. 01 attached as Appendix II of this Circular, confirms when the information matches the actual situation of the fishing boat unloading seafood at the port; retains a copy at the fishing port management organization. Organizations or individuals purchasing seafood from each docking fishing boat will receive one receipt of unloaded harvested seafood according to the actual volume and species composition purchased.

4. Inspection of Docking Fishing Boats

a) Inspection Object: Fishing boats with a maximum length of 24 meters or more; fishing boats with a maximum length under 24 meters, inspect a minimum of 20% for tuna fishing boats, a minimum of 10% for trawling boats, and a minimum of 5% for other fishing methods out of the total number of docking fishing boats unloading seafood in the month; fishing boats showing signs of violating illegal fishing regulations, non-reporting, and non-compliance;

b) Inspection Content: Check the information recorded in the Fishing Log or Purchase and Transfer Log against the quantity and species composition of seafood on the fishing boat, consistent with the type of fishing method; compare the name and registration number of the fishing boat with the list of illegal fishing boats published by the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment;

c) Inspection Record of Docking Fishing Boats according to Model No. 02 attached as Appendix II of this Circular.

5. Inspection of Departing Fishing Boats

a) Inspection Object: Fishing boats with a maximum length of 24 meters or more; fishing boats with a maximum length under 24 meters, inspect a minimum of 20% for tuna fishing boats, a minimum of 10% for trawling boats, and a minimum of 5% for other fishing methods out of the total number of departing fishing boats going to fish in the month;

b) Inspection Content

Check and compare the name and registration number of the fishing boat with the list of illegal fishing boats published by the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment;

Check documents: Certificate of Registration of Fishing Boat; Fishing Permit; Technical Safety Certificate of Fishing Boat; Food Safety Facility Certificate (if applicable); Fishing Log, Purchase and Transfer Log (according to model); certificates and licenses of captain, chief engineer, and mechanic; Crew Logbook;

Check the actual conditions on board: Navigation equipment, life-saving, fire-fighting equipment; communication and signaling systems; voyage monitoring equipment; fishing gear; crew members; marking of fishing boats;

c) Inspection Record of Departing Fishing Boats according to Model No. 03 attached as Appendix II of this Circular.

6. In case of violation discovery, the inspection agency will make a record and handle according to authority or transfer to the competent authority for handling according to regulations.

Article 8. List of fishing vessels engaged in illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing

1. Fishing vessels shall be included in the IUU fishing vessel list when they fall under one of the following circumstances:

a) Fishing vessels violating foreign waters that are seized by foreign competent authorities and notified to Vietnamese competent authorities, except for cases stipulated in point a, Clause 2 of this Article;

b) Fishing vessels violating foreign waters that are seized but released, or fishing vessels penalized by Vietnamese competent authorities for illegal fishing activities in the waters of another country or territory without completing the administrative penalty decision;

c) Fishing vessels penalized for one of the following acts: fishing in the waters of another country or territory or in areas under the management of regional fisheries organizations without a permit or with an expired permit or without approval or with an expired approval; violating regulations on fishery resource management and conservation such as failing to maintain a fishing logbook or inaccurately recording compared to the requirements of regional fisheries organizations or seriously misreporting; fishing in international waters not under the jurisdiction of regional fisheries organizations contrary to regulations on fishing and protecting fishery resources.

2. Fishing vessels shall be removed from the IUU fishing vessel list when they fall under one of the following circumstances:

a) Fishing vessels violating foreign waters that are destroyed by foreign competent authorities;

b) Fishing vessels deregistered according to the law;

c) Administrative penalty decisions have been fully executed;

d) There is evidence proving that the fishing vessel did not violate.

3. Publishing the IUU Fishing Vessel List

a) Weekly, based on notifications from foreign competent authorities, Vietnamese diplomatic missions abroad, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of National Defense, People's Committees of provinces and centrally governed cities, the Fisheries Department, and the Fishery Surveillance Service, compile a list of fishing vessels suspected of violating the provisions of point a, Clause 1 of this Article and send it to the provincial-level state management agency for fisheries to lead and coordinate with relevant agencies to verify. If there is sufficient evidence to prove that the fishing vessel violated point a, Clause 1 of this Article or if the provincial-level state management agency for fisheries does not respond within twenty working days from the date of notification, the state management agency for fisheries under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development will include the fishing vessel in the IUU fishing vessel list;

b) Weekly, the provincial-level state management agency for fisheries compiles a list of penalized fishing vessels and those that have completed administrative penalty decisions as stipulated in Clause 1 of this Article, sends it to the state management agency for fisheries under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development for consolidation, inclusion, exclusion from the list of fishing vessels engaged in IUU fishing, and publication on the electronic information website.

Article 9. List of fishing vessels at high risk of violating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing

1. Fishing vessels shall be included in the list of fishing vessels at high risk of violating IUU fishing regulations when they fall under one of the following circumstances:

a) Fishing vessels without a Fishing Permit; or a permit expired for ten days or more but not engaging in fishing activities;

b) Fishing vessels not maintaining voyage monitoring signals while operating at sea for six hours or more without reporting their position as required;

c) Fishing vessels violating prohibited fishing zones or fishing areas;

d) Fishing vessels violating foreign waters but not seized by foreign competent authorities and notified to Vietnamese competent authorities, except for cases stipulated in point a, Clause 2 of this Decree.

2. Fishing vessels shall be removed from the list of fishing vessels at high risk of violating IUU fishing regulations when they fall under one of the following circumstances:

a) Fishing vessels have rectified points a and b of Clause 1 of this Article;

b) They have been administratively penalized for the acts stipulated in Clause 1 of this Article.

3. Compiling the list of fishing vessels at high risk of violating IUU fishing

a) Weekly, the provincial-level state management agency for fisheries compiles a list of local fishing vessels at high risk of violating IUU fishing and sends it to the Fisheries Department and Fishery Surveillance Service, other provincial-level state management agencies for fisheries with coastal areas, and provincial functional agencies (Port Management Organizations, Border Guard Forces) for monitoring, inspection, and handling according to regulations;

b) Weekly, the Fisheries Department and Fishery Surveillance Service review and compile a list of fishing vessels at high risk of violating IUU fishing as stipulated in Clause 1 of this Article and publish it on the electronic information website for functional agencies to search, monitor, inspect, and handle according to regulations.

4. The Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee is responsible for organizing supervision and management of fishing vessels at high risk of violating IUU fishing in the locality to ensure that these vessels do not engage in fishing operations.

Chapter IV
CONFIRMATION OF RAW MATERIALS, CERTIFICATION OF THE ORIGIN OF FISHERY PRODUCTS

Article 10. Competence to Confirm Raw Materials and Certify the Origin of Marine Products from Fishing

1. The port management organizations designated to confirm the origin of raw materials from fishing shall carry out confirmation of domestically caught marine products regarding quantity, species composition, fishing area, and time for fishing vessels unloading marine products at fish ports upon request.

2. Provincial fisheries management agencies specified in Appendix IV issued together with this Circular shall implement certification of the origin of domestically caught marine products that do not violate regulations on illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing.

3. Regional Quality, Processing, and Market Development Centers under the Bureau of Quality, Processing, and Market Development shall confirm commitments or certify marine products processed from imported raw materials that do not originate from illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing upon request of regional fishery associations or importing countries.

Article 11. Confirmation of Domestic Raw Materials from Fishing

1. The application dossier for confirmation includes:

a) A raw material confirmation certificate for domestically caught marine products according to Model No. 01 in Appendix III issued together with this Circular, fully filled out with all required information;

b) A receipt for domestically caught marine products unloaded issued by the port management organization.

2. Within one working day from the date of receiving a complete dossier, the port management organization shall review the information requested for confirmation regarding quantity, species composition of marine products unloaded at the port compared to the logbook of fishing vessels docking and unloading, fishing areas and times recorded in the vessel monitoring system, and issue a raw material confirmation certificate for domestically caught marine products according to Model No. 01 in Appendix III issued together with this Circular. In case of non-issuance of the certificate, the port management organization shall respond in writing and specify the reasons.

If the quantity of marine products has not been confirmed completely in the receipt, the port management organization shall return the original copy of the remaining raw materials to the requesting entity or individual. If the entire quantity of marine products has been confirmed, the port management organization shall collect the original receipt and retain the dossier.

3. Entities or individuals requesting confirmation shall pay fees and service charges as prescribed.

Article 12. Issuance and Reissuance of Certificates of Origin for Domestically Caught Marine Products

1. Components of the application dossier for issuing certificates of origin for domestically caught marine products for fishing vessels with a maximum length of six meters or more

a) A raw material confirmation certificate for domestically caught marine products describing the utilized raw materials according to Part B of Model No. 01 in Appendix III issued together with this Circular; if the raw materials have not been fully utilized, the requesting entity or individual shall submit the original raw material confirmation certificate for domestically caught marine products for the competent authority to confirm the unused portion. If the raw materials have been fully utilized, the competent authority shall collect the original raw material confirmation certificate for domestically caught marine products and retain the dossier;

b) A certificate of origin for domestically caught marine products according to Model No. 02 in Appendix III issued together with this Circular for export to the European market or according to Model No. 05 in Appendix III issued together with this Circular for export to markets of countries belonging to the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas, or a certificate according to the requirements of the competent authority of the importing country, fully filled out with all required information or another form as required by the export market;

c) Supplementary information for marine products processed from Vietnamese fishing vessels according to Model No. 03 in Appendix III issued together with this Circular;

d) Transportation information according to Model No. 04 in Appendix III issued together with this Circular.

2. Components of the application dossier for issuing certificates of origin for domestically caught marine products for fishing vessels with a maximum length less than six meters

a) A receipt for domestically caught marine products unloaded according to Model No. 02 in Appendix II issued together with this Circular, issued by the People's Committee of the commune where the vessel is registered;

b) A certificate of origin for domestically caught marine products according to Model No. 02 in Appendix III issued together with this Circular.

A certificate of origin for domestically caught marine products shall be reissued in cases of changes in the information in the certificate. The application dossier for reissuing the certificate includes:

a) An application for reissuing a certificate of origin for domestically caught marine products according to Model No. 07 in Appendix III issued together with this Circular;

b) A certificate of origin for domestically caught marine products according to Model No. 02 in Appendix III issued together with this Circular or a certificate according to the requirements of the competent authority of the importing country, fully filled out with all required information.

4. Procedures and Formalities

Within two working days from the date of receiving a complete dossier, the competent authority specified in Clause 2 of Article 10 of this Circular shall check the information, review the dossier, and proceed as follows:

a) For fishing vessels with a maximum length of six meters or more: Issue a certificate when the information in the certificate of origin for domestically caught marine products is fully and correctly filled out compared to the information about the vessel, fishing permit, and raw material confirmation certificate for domestically caught marine products; confirm in Part C of the raw material confirmation certificate for domestically caught marine products when there is unused raw material, return one set of the dossier to the requesting entity or individual (including the original raw material confirmation certificate for domestically caught marine products when there is unused raw material), and retain a copy of the dossier at the competent authority;

b) For fishing vessels with a maximum length less than six meters: Issue a certificate when the information in the certificate of origin for domestically caught marine products is fully and correctly filled out compared to the information about the vessel and the receipt for domestically caught marine products unloaded; confirm in Part B of the receipt for domestically caught marine products unloaded according to Model No. 02 in Appendix II issued together with this Circular when there is unused raw material, return one set of the dossier to the requesting entity or individual (including the original receipt for domestically caught marine products unloaded when there is unused raw material), and retain a copy of the dossier at the competent authority;

c) Not issue a certificate when the information in the dossier does not match the information about the vessel, fishing permit, and raw material confirmation certificate for domestically caught marine products; in case of non-issuance, the competent authority shall respond in writing and specify the reasons.

5. Entities or individuals requesting certification shall pay fees and charges as prescribed.

Article 13. Confirmation of Commitment or Certification of Exported Aquatic Products Originating from Imported Marine Fisheries Resources

1. The application dossier for confirmation of commitment or certification of exported aquatic products originating from imported marine fisheries resources includes:

a) A certificate of origin of marine fisheries resources issued by the competent authority of the flag state of the fishing vessel;

b) A confirmation of commitment or certification of exported aquatic products originating from imported marine fisheries resources according to Form No. 05 or Form No. 06 in Appendix III attached to this Circular, or another document with equivalent content as required by the competent authority of the importing country or regional fishery management organization that has provided complete information;

Organizations and individuals are responsible for the accuracy of the information provided for the purpose of confirming or certifying exported aquatic products processed from imported marine fisheries resources.

2. The agency specified in Clause 3, Article 10 of this Circular shall carry out verification and confirmation of commitment or certification of exported aquatic products originating from imported marine fisheries resources based on the following contents:

a) Cross-checking information about the fishing vessel and other relevant information (flag state of the vessel, quantity, type of aquatic products) in the certificate of origin of marine fisheries resources issued by the competent authority of the exporting country for the imported raw material batch into Vietnam;

b) Cross-checking the quantity and type of imported marine fisheries resources for processing and export with the information about the imported batch checked by the Directorate of Fisheries and Fish Inspection regarding the origin and compliance with regulations against illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing when imported into Vietnam (if applicable);

c) Cross-checking the quantity and type of imported marine fisheries resources for processing and export with the declaration of commitment confirmation dossier for exported aquatic products originating from imported marine fisheries resources and the production and processing monitoring dossier; tracking data, quotas, and the level of traceability compliance for marine fisheries resources at the processing facility.

3. Within two working days after completing the file review, or up to three working days if on-site inspection is required due to suspicion, the agency specified in Clause 3, Article 10 of this Circular shall confirm the commitment or certification of exported aquatic products originating from imported marine fisheries resources if the batch complies with the provisions of Clause 2 of this Article. In case of non-confirmation, the competent authority shall respond in writing and specify the reasons.

Article 14. Inspection of the Implementation of Confirmation of Imported Marine Fisheries Raw Materials and Certification of Marine Fisheries Origin

1. Inspection Agency: Directorate of Fisheries and Fish Inspection, Quality Control, Processing and Market Development Bureau.

2. Inspected Entities: Provincial fisheries management agencies; port management organizations designated with a system for certifying the origin of marine fisheries resources; processing and exporting facilities that implement confirmation of raw materials and certification of marine fisheries origin.

3. Inspection Contents:

a) Inspection of procedures, formalities, and dossiers for the implementation of confirmation of imported marine fisheries raw materials and certification of marine fisheries origin;

b) Inspection of procedures, formalities, and dossiers for the implementation of inspection of fishing vessels entering and leaving ports and supervision of the quantity of marine fisheries products loaded and unloaded at fish ports.

4. Handling of Inspection Results: In cases where violations are discovered, depending on the severity of the violation, the inspection agency will handle within its authority or recommend the competent authority to handle according to regulations; recommend the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to remove from the list of designated fish ports those port management organizations that fail to properly implement the confirmation of imported marine fisheries raw materials, leading to batches being returned or systematic violations in the process of confirming raw materials and certifying marine fisheries origin.

Chapter V
RESPONSIBILITIES AND LIMITS OF ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS

Article 15. Directorate of Fisheries and Fish Inspection

1. Implement the contents prescribed in this Circular.

2. Organize training and professional development for organizations and individuals related to recording, submitting logbooks, and reporting marine fisheries activities; inspection, confirmation of raw materials, certification of marine fisheries origin, and receipt of marine fisheries products already unloaded.

3. Conduct inspections of the implementation of confirmation of raw materials and certification of marine fisheries origin by related organizations and individuals.

4. Take the lead in resolving issues related to the confirmation of raw materials and certification of marine fisheries origin domestically; coordinate with relevant agencies to exchange information and resolve issues related to the confirmation of commitment or certification of exported aquatic products originating from imported marine fisheries resources for processing and export.

5. Publish lists of IUU fishing vessels and high-risk vessels for IUU violations on the Directorate of Fisheries and Fish Inspection's website.

6. Summarize and report to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development the results of the implementation of confirmation of raw materials and certification of marine fisheries origin.

7. Develop software for tracing the origin of marine fisheries resources and establish rules for managing and using the software for electronic traceability of marine fisheries resources nationwide.

8. Share inspection results on compliance with regulations against illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing for imported marine fisheries resources under the Port State Measures Agreement (PSMA), imported through containers for processing and export with the Quality Control, Processing and Market Development Bureau to support the confirmation of commitment and certification of exported aquatic products originating from imported marine fisheries resources for processing and export to markets with requirements.

Article 16. The Bureau of Quality, Processing and Market Development

1. Direct, organize the implementation, and inspect compliance with regulations on combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing for exported aquatic products to markets with requirements; confirm commitments, certify exported aquatic products originating from imported fishery catches for export to markets with requirements; inspect traceability records of exported aquatic products to markets with requirements during the process of sampling and testing food safety, assessing, and certifying batches of exported aquatic products.

2. Uniformly manage in terms of expertise and operations; train and enhance staff involved in inspection work, confirming commitments, or certifying exported aquatic products originating from imported fishery catches.

3. Lead negotiations with foreign competent authorities regarding cooperation, information exchange, and handling issues related to confirming commitments or certifying exported aquatic products originating from imported fishery catches.

4. Direct the Regional Quality, Processing and Market Development Center:

a) To implement confirmation of commitments or certification of exported aquatic products originating from imported fishery catches as stipulated in Article 13 of this Circular;

b) To guide importers on procedures, formalities, and contents related to confirming commitments or certifying exported aquatic products originating from imported fishery catches as stipulated in this Circular;

c) To store records of confirmed commitments or certified exported aquatic products originating from imported fishery catches for a period of thirty-six months from the date of confirmation or certification;

d) To submit quarterly reports on inspection results, confirmation of commitments, or certification of exported aquatic products originating from imported fishery catches to the Fisheries and Aquaculture Inspection Bureau for consolidation and reporting to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Article 17. Departments of Agriculture and Rural Development of provinces and centrally governed cities

1. Direct, publicize, guide, and inspect the implementation of this Circular within their jurisdiction.

2. Organize inspections and control of fishing vessels engaged in illegal fishing activities at fish ports within their province.

3. Advise provincial People's Committees to ensure funding, human resources, and related conditions for the operation of competent authorities responsible for inspecting fishing vessels at fish ports, confirming raw materials, and certifying the origin of harvested aquatic products.

4. Update and report to the Fisheries and Aquaculture Inspection Bureau changes in organizational structure and personnel as stipulated in Clause 1 and Clause 2 of Article 10 of this Circular (seal models, signatures) to inform foreign competent authorities.

5. Guide shippers, ship owners, captains on procedures, formalities, and contents related to confirming raw materials and certifying the origin of harvested aquatic products as prescribed.

6. Require captains, ship owners, or representatives of ship owners and shippers to provide relevant information for inspection, confirmation of raw materials, and certification of the origin of harvested aquatic products as prescribed.

7. Update data from logbooks and fishing reports into the national fisheries database.

8. Coordinate with the Fisheries and Aquaculture Inspection Bureau to receive, process, and verify information related to confirming raw materials and certifying the origin of harvested aquatic products as required by foreign competent authorities.

9. Review, compile, and report to the Fisheries and Aquaculture Inspection Bureau lists of fishing vessels proposed for inclusion or exclusion from the list of vessels engaged in illegal fishing as stipulated in Clause 3 of Article 8 of this Circular.

10. Compile fishing activity situations from logbooks and fishing reports, raw material confirmation work, origin certification of harvested aquatic products, and illegal fishing vessels, and send them to the Fisheries and Aquaculture Inspection Bureau before the twentieth day of each month or when requested.

11. Report to the State Management Authority for Fisheries under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development on the results of origin certification of harvested aquatic products according to Form No. 01 Appendix VII, and the operational status of fish ports within their jurisdiction according to Form No. 03 Appendix VII issued together with this Circular; retain related records of origin certification of harvested aquatic products for sixty months from the date of certification.

Article 18. Port Management Organization

1. Update and report to the Fisheries Control Agency samples of seals and signatures of authorized persons confirming the catch of aquatic products for publication on the Fisheries Control Agency's electronic information website.

2. Organize training sessions or send personnel to attend specialized training courses on the confirmation of catch of aquatic products.

3. Ensure food hygiene and safety at the fishing port in accordance with regulations.

4. Refuse to allow fishing vessels engaged in unloading aquatic products if they are listed as IUU fishing vessels and report to the competent authority for handling.

5. Record and update daily the volume of aquatic products unloaded through the port according to Form No. 02 of Appendix VII issued together with this Circular; update data on the volume and species composition of unloaded aquatic products into the national fisheries database as a basis for inspection, confirmation, and certification of harvested aquatic products.

6. Comply with inspections and checks by competent authorities regarding the confirmation of catch of aquatic products, cooperate with competent authorities in inspecting fishing vessels at the fishing port.

7. Issue logbooks and reports on harvesting aquatic products to organizations and individuals owning fishing vessels; collect logbooks and reports on harvesting aquatic products; compile a list of fishing vessels that have submitted logbooks and reports on harvesting and send it to the provincial fisheries management agency before the 20th day of each month; promptly update data from logbooks and reports on harvesting into the national fisheries database as a basis for inspection, confirmation, and certification of harvested aquatic products.

8. Report to the provincial fisheries management agency before the 20th day of each month on the results of port operations within the area according to Form No. 03 of Appendix VII issued together with this Circular; retain files related to issuing receipts for unloaded harvested aquatic products, certificates of harvested aquatic product raw materials for a period of 60 months from the date of confirmation.

Article 19. Fishing Vessel Captains, Owners

1. Print, record, and submit logbooks and reports on harvesting aquatic products as prescribed; provide accurate and complete information recorded in the certificate of harvested aquatic product raw materials, the certificate of origin of harvested aquatic products to the consignee; sign to confirm and be responsible for the provided information.

2. Notify the port management organization before the vessel docks or leaves the port as prescribed; provide information about the fishing vessel, service requirements, and estimated volume of aquatic products to be unloaded through the port.

3. Carry out harvesting activities in compliance with legal regulations.

4. Comply with inspections, checks, and controls as required by the competent authority.

Article 20. Organizations and Individuals Requesting Confirmation of Harvested Aquatic Product Raw Materials, Certification of Origin of Harvested Aquatic Products

1. Provide accurate and complete information recorded in the certificate of harvested aquatic product raw materials, the certificate of origin of harvested aquatic products, and the certificate of commitment for exported aquatic products originating from imported harvested aquatic products; sign to confirm and be responsible for the accuracy and authenticity of the provided information and documents.

2. Retain full records to trace the origin, distinguish between processed raw material lots and unprocessed raw material lots still stored in the warehouse, ensuring that only legally sourced raw materials are accepted and processed. Retain records of confirmation of domestic harvested aquatic product raw materials, certification of origin of harvested aquatic products, and confirmation of commitments or certification of exported aquatic products originating from imported harvested aquatic products for a period of 36 months from the date of confirmation and certification. Choose one of the competent authorities specified in Appendix IV issued together with this Circular to submit application documents for certification of origin of harvested aquatic products.

3. Cooperate with the competent authority in providing information and clarifying issues as requested by the importing country's competent authority regarding the export shipment.

4. For processing establishments exporting harvested aquatic products to markets requiring confirmation and certification to comply with regulations against illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing:

a) Maintain full records, documents, and evidence to prove the origin of imported harvested aquatic products entering Vietnam, and domestically harvested raw materials used for processing and exporting to markets with requirements against illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing;

b) Establish a traceability system for harvested aquatic products in compliance with regulations against illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, ensuring traceability of raw material sources, different raw material lots received, stored, processed, and exported; ensure traceability between production monitoring records and actual production, storage, and export activities.

Chapter VI
IMPLEMENTATION

Article 21. Implementation Provisions

1. This Circular shall take effect from January 1, 2026.

2. This Circular replaces Circular No. 21/2018/TT-BNNPTNT dated November 15, 2018 of the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development on recording, submitting reports, and logbooks of fishing activities; announcing designated fish ports to confirm the origin of captured aquatic products; lists of fishing vessels engaged in illegal fishing; confirming raw materials and certifying the origin of captured aquatic products.

3. This Circular abolishes:

a) Article 3 of Circular No. 01/2022/TT-BNNPTNT dated January 18, 2022 of the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development amending and supplementing certain Circulars in the field of aquaculture;

b) Article 1 of Circular No. 05/2025/TT-BNNMT dated June 2, 2025 of the Minister of Agriculture and Environment amending and supplementing certain Circulars in the field of fishing.

Article 22. Transitional Provisions

1. Organizations and individuals whose administrative procedures were accepted by state agencies or authorized persons before this Circular takes effect and have not yet received results shall continue to be processed according to the laws at the time of acceptance, except where organizations or individuals request implementation according to this Circular.

2. Documents, permits, confirmation certificates, and certification documents issued by agencies or authorized persons before this Circular takes effect and are still valid or within their validity period shall continue to be applied and used until their expiration date.

In case organizations or individuals need to amend, supplement, or reissue documents, confirmation certificates, or certification documents, they shall submit a request to the agency or authorized person specified in this Circular for processing.

3. Logbooks of fishing activities and logbooks of purchasing and transferring aquatic products completed before this Circular takes effect may continue to be used as a basis for confirming raw materials and certifying the origin of captured aquatic products.

Electronic logbooks of fishing activities and electronic logbooks of purchasing and transferring aquatic products shall be implemented as follows: For fishing vessels with a length of 24 meters or more, from July 1, 2026; for fishing vessels with a length of 15 meters or more but less than 24 meters, from September 1, 2026; for fishing vessels with a length of 12 meters or more but less than 15 meters, from January 1, 2027.

4. Receipts for unloading aquatic products at ports, confirmation certificates for raw materials of captured aquatic products, certificates of origin for captured aquatic products, and confirmation certificates for export products made from imported captured aquatic products issued before this Circular takes effect shall continue to be used until their expiration date.

The electronic traceability system for captured aquatic products shall be implemented as follows: Fishing vessels leaving or arriving at ports and issuing receipts for unloading captured aquatic products shall start from March 1, 2026; confirmation certificates for raw materials of captured aquatic products shall start from June 1, 2026; certificates of origin for captured aquatic products shall start from September 1, 2026. Authorized agencies shall only issue paper copies in cases of force majeure as defined by civil law or upon request of organizations or individuals.

Article 23. Responsibilities for Implementation

During the implementation process, if issues arise or difficulties occur, organizations and individuals shall promptly report to the Fisheries Inspection Department or the Quality Control, Processing, and Market Development Department for consolidation and reporting to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment for review and appropriate amendments.