Tanzania unveils blue economy policy to boost sector’s impact

Dar es Salaam. The government has unveiled the national blue economy policy to unlock the ocean’s wealth and drive sustainable development.

The policy has been designed to have a direct and practical impact on people’s lives. 

The announcement on the first ever policy was made yesterday at the closing ceremony of a five-day Regenerative Week summit that brought together ocean stakeholders from 20 countries worldwide.

The event focused on The BAHARI Accelerator, an initiative aimed at transforming scientific research into viable blue economy businesses that benefit communities.

Speaking at the conference’s closing session, Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries Development, Dr Edwin Mhede, said the sector has had a number of challenges in policy coordination, which prompted the government to introduce the new policy.

“The policy serves as a guide for developing laws, regulations and guidelines that align with its strategic direction,” he said. “This aims to ensure a clearer framework that enhances the impact of the blue economy on people’s lives.”

The initiative comes at a crucial time, as approximately six million people are engaged in the sector’s value chain, 60 percent of whom are women. 

Dr Mhede said that one of the key resolutions from the conference was the need for African coastal nations to translate scientific research findings into practical solutions that benefit industry stakeholders.

To achieve this, he underscored the importance of building technical capacity to interpret research findings effectively, coupled with good governance principles to ensure sustainability. “Like all other natural resources, marine resources must be managed based on good governance principles to ensure sustainability,” he said.

He said that efficient government and institutional structures are necessary to enhance administrative efficiency, improve communication, and facilitate better coordination between businesses and public service providers.

Another key discussion point was the importance of creating a more inclusive environment to encourage women’s participation in the sector. Recognising their central role in household food management, stakeholders agreed that empowering women would ultimately boost their economic status.

Participants also called for scientific advancements to prevent overfishing and urged investments in improving the genetic diversity of aquatic species.

“If we enhance the genetic quality of aquatic species and their resilience to climate change and diseases, productivity will increase significantly. A sustainable economy driven by high productivity leads to national growth,” Dr Mhede said.

Regarding efforts to improve fishermen’s earnings, Dr Mhede revealed that the government has launched a boat distribution program to support small-scale fishers. Last year, 160 boats were distributed across various lakes, and an initial assessment indicated an increased demand for more boats.

“The assessment showed that the sector’s contribution increased from 422,000 tonnes in 2022 to 522,000 tonnes by December last year,” he disclosed.

As a result, the government has initiated Phase Two of the program, which includes distributing 120 modern boats to fishers.

On the importance of converting scientific research into practical solutions, Tanzania Fisheries Research Institute (Tafiri) Director General, Dr Ismael Kimirei, pledged to act on the recommendations from the conference.

“We will ensure that research findings translate into tangible solutions that enhance productivity in the sector,” he affirmed.

The blue economy remains a key driver of economic growth, and with the introduction of this new policy, the government aims to create a sustainable and impactful framework for the industry’s future.