Vietnamese Fishermen Caught Between EU Regulations and China's Maritime Aggression

As of November 13, 2025, Vietnamese fishing communities are caught in a complex web of geopolitical and regulatory pressures. The European Union has imposed a "yellow card" on Vietnam, warning the country to address illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing practices or face a full trade ban on seafood exports worth over $500 million annually.

Meanwhile, the new U.S.-Vietnam tariff agreement has added another layer of uncertainty, as U.S. officials are closely monitoring Vietnam's IUU compliance data. Analysts warn that if Vietnam fails to lift the EU's yellow card by the end of 2025, Washington could use that as justification to raise tariffs on Vietnamese seafood and other exports.

For fishermen like 70-year-old Bui Quang Mong, the challenges go beyond bureaucratic red tape. The South China Sea has long been a treacherous frontier, with typhoons, confrontations with Chinese naval vessels, and the constant struggle to make a living from the sea. Now, the presence of armed Chinese ships has made the waters even more dangerous and unpredictable.

The Vietnamese government is taking steps to address the IUU fishing issue, implementing a nationwide campaign to inventory, re-register and license all fishing vessels, as well as digitally track every catch. But this transformation is happening alongside efforts by China to assert control over the disputed South China Sea, forcing Vietnamese boats closer to shore.

As the country navigates these complex geopolitical and regulatory challenges, the human cost is becoming increasingly clear. Fishermen like Captain Dang Van Nhan, who have weathered storms and confrontations with Chinese vessels for decades, now face an uncertain future, caught between the demands of distant capitals and the shrinking sea.