The Minister for Livestock and Fisheries, Bashiru Ally Kakurwa, has met officers in charge of Fisheries Protection and Resource Management Stations to discuss strategies for strengthening the management of fisheries resources and addressing challenges facing officers in the sector.
The meeting, held on March 25, 2026 in Dodoma, brought together senior officials from the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries and officers responsible for supervising fisheries resource management across the country.
Dr Kakurwa was accompanied by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Agnes Meena, the Deputy Permanent Secretary responsible for fisheries, Mohamed Sheikh, Acting Director of Fisheries Baraka Sekadende and other ministry experts.
During the meeting, participants discussed ways to strengthen the protection and sustainable use of fisheries resources, particularly measures to curb the smuggling of fish and dagaa across borders.
Officials also deliberated on strengthening sustainable fishing practices and intensifying efforts to combat illegal fishing, which continues to threaten aquatic resources and the long-term sustainability of the fisheries sector.
The meeting further examined loopholes that contribute to the loss of government revenue from fisheries products, with participants proposing measures aimed at strengthening monitoring systems and enforcement.
Dr Kakurwa encouraged the officers to remain committed to their responsibilities, assuring them that the ministry will address policy-related challenges raised during the discussions.
He said the government would work on improving the policy environment and operational frameworks to make it easier for officers to carry out their duties effectively while ensuring compliance with laws, regulations and established procedures governing the sector.
Speaking at the meeting, Ms Meena commended the officers for their contribution to revenue collection in the fisheries sector.
She said that in the 2024/25 financial year the ministry had been tasked with collecting Sh33 billion from fisheries-related activities.
However, through the efforts of the officers, the ministry managed to collect Sh32 billion, representing 99 percent of the target.
According to Ms Meena, the ministry has been assigned to collect Sh43 billion in the 2025/26 financial year. So far, about Sh26 billion has been collected, equivalent to 59 percent of the target.
She noted that the officers managing fisheries protection and resource management stations continue to play a key role in safeguarding aquatic resources and ensuring the government receives expected revenue from the sector.
The meeting forms part of the ministry’s ongoing efforts to strengthen governance in the fisheries sector, improve resource management and ensure the sustainable utilisation of Tanzania’s fisheries resources.
