Tanzania is taking significant steps to safeguard its fisheries and secure livelihoods for millions by integrating biodiversity into fisheries management.
This move was underscored today by Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries, Ms. Agnes Meena, during the launch of a national workshop in Dar es Salaam.
The three-day workshop, running until October 9, 2025, at Giraffe Hotel, brings together about 50 participants, including researchers, local government officials, fisheries experts, civil society organizations, small-scale fishers, and development partners.
Its aim is to develop practical strategies that ensure Tanzania’s fisheries remain productive while protecting biodiversity.
Ms. Meena highlighted that Tanzania faces multiple challenges, including illegal fishing, climate change, and habitat disruption, which threaten both fish stocks and the livelihoods of communities depending on them.
“When fish populations decline and ecosystems are disrupted, it affects not only the environment but also the food security and income of Tanzanian families,” she said.
“We must work together to integrate biodiversity into fisheries management to ensure sustainable use of resources and community wellbeing.”
Representing the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Tanzania, Dr. Nyabenyi Tipo emphasized the importance of including youth and women in fisheries management.
“Empowering local communities strengthens food security, creates jobs, and promotes responsible use of resources,” Dr. Tipo said.
Assistant Director of Fisheries, Mr. Christian Nzowa, revealed that 40 percent of fish products are lost after harvest due to poor infrastructure, lack of training, and misuse of fishing gear.
To tackle this, the government is constructing fish and sardine drying facilities in Tanga, Kilwa, Bagamoyo, Mafia, Lake Tanganyika, and Kigoma.
He added that fisheries support four million Tanzanians, with 200,000 people employed directly in the sector.
The workshop also aims to develop a National Action Plan for integrating biodiversity into fisheries management, aligning with the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) and Tanzania’s National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP 2025–2030).
Experts say the integration of biodiversity considerations into fisheries management will not only conserve fish stocks and ecosystems but also ensure communities can rely on fisheries for income and food security for generations to come, making Tanzania’s fishing sector both sustainable and resilient.