Vietnam’s fishery control forces will take part in defending the country’s sovereignty over sea territory, according to a new decree that will take effect on January 25, 2013. Under Decree102/2012/ND-CP of the Government on the organization and operation of fishery control forces, these forces are the State’s specialized units that is set up under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development’s Fisheries General Department. According to the decree, fishery control forces will check and inspect fishery activities in the country’s sea areas to protect fishermen at sea and handle violations of regulations on fisheries. Fishery controllers have the right to impose administrative penalties or preventive measures against violations of regulations on fisheries by domestic or foreign individual and organizations that carry out fishery activities in Vietnam’s sea areas. Fishery control units will also take part in defending the country’s sovereignty, sovereignty rights, and jurisdictions over sea territory under applicable laws and rules. In addition, these units are required to join international cooperation activities in the field of fisheries under international treaties to which Vietnam has signed or acceded. These forces are also expected to take part in anti-disaster activities and coordination of search and rescue operations.