Experts seek to unlock Tanzania’s blue economy potential  

Dar es Salaam. Experts in fisheries, environmental management and marine sectors are convening to explore strategies for maximising the utilisation of ocean resources and harnessing the full potential of Tanzania’s blue economy.  

Under the newly established Ocean Good Governance Forum – Chapter Tanzania, the group aims to address the underutilisation of the country’s vast oceanic resources.  

Data indicates that Tanzania currently exploits less than 10 percent of the economic opportunities the ocean offers.  

The director general of the National Environment Management Council (NEMC), Dr Immaculate Semesi, noted that Tanzania’s ocean spans over 200,000 square kilometres, with a coastal stretch exceeding 1,000 kilometres from Tanga to Mtwara.  

“This area remains largely undeveloped and underutilised,” she said.  

“If effectively harnessed, the ocean could significantly contribute to tourism, transportation, fisheries, resource extraction, and climate change mitigation.”  

The newly proposed forum will be overseen by higher authorities to ensure the efficient management of the blue economy sector while enhancing cross-sector collaboration.  

Dr Semesi said the initiative seeks to bridge gaps in ocean conservation while supporting key sectors such as energy, fisheries and port operations.  

“There has been limited inclusion and understanding of the ocean’s economic significance,” she noted.  

“The ocean is not just a place for leisure activities. It is a crucial pillar of our economy, and with strategic planning, it can drive economic growth and sustainability.”  

Marine scientist Masumbuko Semba, from the Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology (NM-AIST), underscored the ocean’s immense economic potential, noting that it covers 71 percent of the Earth’s surface.  

“Tanzania, with its direct access to the sea, is well-positioned to tap into this resource for both national and global economic advancement,” he said.  

Semba added that advancements in technology—such as satellite data and modern analytical tools—will enable more precise monitoring and management of ocean resources.  

“Research and technology play a vital role in identifying opportunities for the sustainable management of our ocean,” he said.  

Zanzibar’s Deputy Permanent Secretary for the Blue Economy and Fisheries, Zahor Kassim Elkharousy, reaffirmed Tanzania’s central role in driving the blue economy agenda.  

He said the forum would facilitate policy discussions that align national priorities with international commitments while fostering stakeholder engagement across government, industry, academia and coastal communities.  

The Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Vice President’s Office, Christina Mndeme, also backed the forum, describing it as an important platform for knowledge-sharing and innovation.  

“This initiative will help us perceive the ocean as a catalyst for economic growth and sustainability,” she said.  

The establishment of this forum is expected to foster a more inclusive and adaptive governance framework, unlocking various opportunities within the ocean economy while ensuring its sustainable management.