Tanzania loses Sh15.16 billion annually to illegal fishing

Dar es Salaam. Tanzania loses an estimated Sh15.16 billion annually due to illegal fishing, unregistered vessels, and a lack of accurate fishing data, Parliament revealed on Wednesday, February 12, 2025.

These losses are a result of unpaid fees to the Tanzania Shipping Agency Corporation (Tasac) and the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA).

The figures were presented by the Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC) during the tabling of its 2024 report.

The report, which was debated and approved, focused on assessing the registration of fishing vessels and fishermen, as well as the coordination and monitoring of fishing activities.

The audit, covering the period from 2018/19 to 2022/23, aims to evaluate the progress in the management of fishing resources.

Conducted between September 2023 and March 2024, the audit examined key issues such as the enforcement of penalties for illegal fishing and the collection of reliable data, both of which directly affect government revenue.

PAC Chairperson Ms Naghenjwa Kaboyoka, Special Seats, Chadema, noted several shortcomings in the country’s management of fishing resources, including the operation of unlicensed fishing activities, the capture of immature fish, and poor coordination of fishing operations across lakes and oceans.

She also pointed to the absence of seasonal fishing restrictions and inadequate patrols to prevent illegal activities.

"The audit found that many fishing vessels are either unregistered or lack licenses, contributing to illegal fishing and the absence of accurate fishing statistics,” she said.

This, she explained, has resulted in the estimated loss of Sh15.16 billion in revenue from licenses, fees to Tasac, and TRA.

Ms Kaboyoka highlighted that regions with better infrastructure, such as Dar es Salaam and Lindi, lose an average of Sh500 million annually, while areas like Mwanza and Kigoma—facing infrastructure and geographical challenges—are estimated to lose over Sh500 million due to unregistered vessels.

The government has committed to strengthening the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries and the President's Office - Regional Administration and Local Government (PO-RALG), and work through local authorities, to address these issues.

Additionally, she confirmed that these bodies will oversee and control illegal fishing activities while promoting sustainable fishing practices.

The report revealed a high prevalence of unregistered fishing vessels operating on Lake Tanganyika, Lake Victoria, and the Indian Ocean.

Among these, Lake Victoria had the highest proportion of unregistered vessels at 67 percent followed by Lake Tanganyika with 61 percent, and the Indian Ocean had 42 percent.

The lack of effective management by Beach Management Units (BMUs) in several areas was flagged as a major factor in the loss of revenue.

The audit also showed that 45 percent of Lake Tanganyika’s landing sites lack BMUs, while 36 percent of landing sites along the Indian Ocean are similarly unmanaged.

In contrast, Lake Victoria had only 1 percent of its landing sites without management.

"The presence of unmanaged landing sites has contributed to the rise in unregistered fishing vessels, which promotes illegal fishing and deprives the government of rightful revenue,” said Ms Kaboyoka.

Further findings included evidence of undersized fish being sold in the market, particularly in marine areas.

Although the issue has decreased in lakes, illegal fishing of undersized fish remains prevalent in coastal areas, jeopardising the sustainability of the fishing industry and food security.

The Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries collects daily data from less than 10 percent of Lake Victoria's landing sites.

Ms Kaboyoka attributed the insufficient research funding to the reliance on estimates rather than solid data, complicating decision-making and planning.

The audit also uncovered a lack of coordination and data sharing between the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries, Local Government Authorities (LGAs), and the Tanzania Fisheries Research Institute (Tafiri).

By December 2024, the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries and PO-RALG had responded to the audit recommendations.

Of the 22 recommendations, four had not been implemented, nine were in progress, seven had been partially implemented, and two were in the early stages, three recommendations had been fully enacted.

Ms Kaboyoka added that a Ministry official explained that PO-RALG handles the licensing of vessels smaller than 11 metres, which account for 70 percent of the fleet, while the Ministry of Fisheries manages licenses for larger vessels, making up the remaining 30 percent.

The audit also revealed persistent challenges, including the misuse of legally purchased nets that end up catching undersized fish.

Despite ongoing government efforts to inspect and patrol fishing activities, these issues continue to undermine the effectiveness of enforcement measures.