The Tanzania Scaling-Up Sustainable Marine Fisheries and Aquaculture Management (TASFAM) Project is transforming lives along the Indian Ocean coastline, bringing hope and opportunities to local fishers and coastal communities.
During a progress briefing on March 26, 2026, the Minister of Livestock and Fisheries, Bashiru Ally Kakurwa, praised the project for its tangible achievements in improving livelihoods and supporting stakeholders in the fisheries sector.
He stressed that TASFAM must continue to deliver results that directly benefit the people who depend on the sea for their survival.
“Projects under TASFAM must be completed on time and deliver real value to local communities,” Minister Kakurwa said. “I urge all implementing institutions and departments to ensure that activities in their areas are carried out as planned, so that both the government and the coastal communities gain from this initiative.”
For fishers like Asha Mohamed from Lindi, the project has already made a noticeable difference.
“Before TASFAM, we struggled to get proper fishing gear and sell our catch at fair prices. Now, with better equipment and support, we are able to provide for our families,” she said.
Deputy Permanent Secretary for Fisheries, Prof. Mohammed Sheikh, highlighted the importance of modern facilities at the National Fisheries Quality Control Laboratory (NFQCLAB) to ensure fish and aquaculture products meet high standards.
He emphasized that local research capacity is critical so that fishery samples can be studied in Tanzania rather than being exported for analysis.
Heads of institutions and departments implementing TASFAM assured the minister that they are committed to achieving the project’s goals as outlined under the World Bank loan framework.
The $117 million, five-year (2025–2030) TASFAM project targets five regions along Tanzania’s Indian Ocean coast. Its objectives include sustainable management of marine fisheries, expansion of aquaculture, and strengthening the country’s blue economy, while ensuring that the benefits reach ordinary fishers, traders, and coastal communities.
As the project progresses, it is not only improving infrastructure and technology but also instilling hope among communities that have long relied on the sea.
For many families, TASFAM represents more than funding or policy, it is a lifeline for a better future.
