The Deputy Permanent Secretary for Fisheries at the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries, Prof Mohammed Ali Sheikh, has urged the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) to ensure that the implementation of the Let Us Protect Our Ocean project aligns with the ministry’s priorities to strengthen Tanzania’s fisheries sector.
Prof Sheikh made the call on behalf of the ministry’s Permanent Secretary during a meeting to review the progress of the project held on March 2, 2026 in Morogoro.
The project is coordinated by IUCN and implemented in collaboration with government ministries and non-governmental organisations.
He said it is important for IUCN to follow the ministry’s guidelines and procedures when implementing the project so that its activities support the government’s broader reforms in fisheries and aquaculture.
According to Prof Sheikh, the project should contribute to the Fisheries Sector Transformation and Aquaculture Development Strategy 2026–2050, which aims to modernise the sector and increase aquaculture production in the country.
He noted that the government is currently focusing on major reforms in the fisheries sector through the new strategy, which is aligned with the national development agenda under Tanzania Development Vision 2050.
The strategy, he explained, seeks to transform the sector by improving productivity, strengthening sustainable use of marine resources and expanding aquaculture activities.
Prof Sheikh also called on IUCN to expand training opportunities in marine science and increase awareness among communities to help them engage in productive fish farming.
He said Tanzania still faces limited capacity in the production of fish fingerlings in both freshwater and marine environments, a challenge that continues to slow the growth of aquaculture.
To address this, he urged IUCN to collaborate closely with the government in developing programmes that promote marine aquaculture and increase the production of fish fingerlings.
He said such programmes would help boost fish production while protecting natural fish stocks.
Prof Sheikh also commended IUCN for supporting conservation of fisheries resources along Tanzania’s coastal areas and strengthening research institutions under the ministry.
Through the project, institutions such as the Marine Parks and Reserves Unit (MPRU) and the Tanzania Fisheries Research Institute (TAFIRI) have received support in protecting marine conservation areas and strengthening research capacity.
He said the project has also helped address environmental challenges, including marine pollution caused by plastic waste and the destruction of mangrove forests along coastal areas.
In addition, the initiative has supported postgraduate education by sponsoring students pursuing advanced studies in marine and fisheries sciences.
Presenting the project’s 2026 implementation report, IUCN project manager Dr Mathias Igulu said the project has already made progress in building expertise in the fisheries sector.
He said the project has provided scholarships to 28 students pursuing master’s and doctoral degrees, who are expected to contribute to the development of the fisheries sector and marine conservation in the country.
Dr Igulu noted that strengthening research and human capacity is crucial for ensuring sustainable use of marine resources and supporting economic growth in Tanzania.