President Samia Suluhu Hassan has unveiled an ambitious national programme to expand deep-sea fishing, signalling a new phase in Tanzania’s push to unlock the economic potential of its vast marine resources.
The launch, held alongside the commissioning of a modern fishing vessel worth $2.9 million (about 7bn/-), places fisheries at the centre of the country’s broader blue economy agenda.
The vessel, fitted with advanced fish preservation technology, is expected to improve catch handling, reduce post-harvest losses and raise export competitiveness.
Funded by the Government of Japan, the vessel also reflects growing development cooperation between the two nations.
Japan’s Ambassador to Tanzania, Mikami Yoichi, attended the event, underscoring continued bilateral support in key productive sectors.
President Samia said the initiative marks the beginning of a coordinated national strategy to manage and benefit from deep-sea fisheries more effectively.
She stressed discipline and sustained commitment in implementation, warning against short-term approaches that could undermine long-term gains.
The Minister for Livestock and Fisheries, Bashiru Ally Kakurwa, said the government is shifting focus towards value addition, modern research and skills development to strengthen the sector.
Efforts are also underway to improve production systems and expand access to both domestic and international markets.
He revealed plans to scale up investment through the acquisition of four additional fishing vessels, alongside the construction of major fishing ports in Kilwa and Bagamoyo.
The projects are expected to raise national output and position Tanzania more competitively in regional and global seafood markets.
Beyond capture fisheries, President Samia welcomed the introduction of offshore cage fish farming in the Indian Ocean, describing it as a strategic intervention to boost production, create employment and increase household incomes, particularly in coastal areas.
She called for stronger private sector participation across the fisheries value chain, from investment and processing to distribution and export.
On governance, the President emphasised the need to strengthen surveillance and enforcement in deep-sea waters, noting that ongoing measures to curb illegal fishing are guided by the law and aimed at protecting national resources for future generations.
She also acknowledged support from international partners, including the United Nations Development Programme and the World Bank, for their role in improving market systems and advancing the fisheries value chain.
President Samia urged Tanzanians to safeguard peace, unity and stability, describing them as essential foundations for the successful delivery of large-scale development programmes such as the blue economy strategy.
The initiative forms part of Tanzania’s long-term plan to increase the contribution of fisheries to economic growth by linking harvesting, processing, research and markets into an integrated system supported by technology and international cooperation.
