The Minister for Livestock and Fisheries, Ambassador Dr. Bashiru Ally, has urged Tanzanians to take a more active role in safeguarding the country’s fisheries resources, calling for stronger public accountability and clearer language when addressing unlawful practices in the sector.
Speaking in Dar es Salaam on December 6, 2025, during an inspection of activities under the Marine Protected Areas unit, Dr. Bashiru announced that the Government will no longer use the term “illegal fishing”. Instead, he said, such acts should be described as fishing that violates the law, and those who engage in them be identified as offenders.
“The issue here is simple: when someone uses banned gear or fishes in restricted areas, that is breaking the law. This is not about what is spiritually lawful or unlawful it is about respecting national regulations,” he said. “We must use words that reflect legal responsibility.”
Dr. Bashiru stressed that the country continues to suffer from weak enforcement of fisheries laws, a gap that he says cannot be filled by Government efforts alone.
He appealed to citizens, community leaders, and public officers to stop normalizing unlawful practices and to support efforts to strengthen fisheries governance.
“The President has appointed Tanzanians to enforce the law, not religious leaders. If the laws need to be improved, Parliament is there to do so and I represent the sector in that process. But all of us have a duty to protect our resources,” he said.
He also warned against situations where offenders receive protection from individuals tasked with enforcing regulations, describing such behaviour as a serious threat to national interests.
“If someone is using prohibited nets and law enforcers shield them, while those who have the responsibility to uphold the rule of law remain silent, then we all contribute to the problem. And when our fisheries collapse, the pain will be felt across the country,” he said.
The Minister’s remarks underscore a broader call for public participation in resource management, emphasizing that sustainable fisheries are essential to local livelihoods, food security, and the long-term health of the marine environment.
